Yuletide: Ogun Police ban use of fireworks

The Ogun State Police command has banned the indiscriminate use of explosive fireworks, popularly called 'banger'.

The ban was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, by the command’s spokesperson, Omotola Odutola.

Odutola noted that the ban followed a  distressing complaints from residents in Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ikenne and Sango Ota, over the deafening sound, adding that it  threatens the state of peace of mind and triggering anxiety of the residents.

She added that the residents have been thrown to sleepless night, constant terror from their inability to differentiate between gunshots and genuine fireworks.

The statement partly reads: “the Ogun State Police Command is inundated with report indices  coming from residents since the 1st of November 2023 especially in Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ikenne and Sango Ota, over the indiscriminate use of dangerous fireworks popularly called “banga” that the deafening sound of it threatens the state of peace of mind and triggering anxiety of residents especially amid security concerns expressed by residents in Ogun State".

“Following these reports of apprehension before the Ogun State Police Command, the Commissioner of Police CP Alamutu Abiodun has henceforth declared a ban on indiscriminate use of explosive  fireworks in Ogun State upholding the distressing complaints from residents and the community about their inability to differentiate between gunshots and genuine fireworks, that residents have been thrown to sleepless night, constant terror from the deafening bang from these dangerous explosives. 

“The Ogun State Police Command is aware that displays of fireworks is deeply ingrained in tradition as an essential preparation of the end of year celebrations. Residents are enjoined to respect the privacy and quiet of other neighbours. 

Meanwhile the State Commissioner, CP Abiodun Alamutu warned young persons who may want to flout this directive that “banga is criminalized and punitive sanctions will accompany deliberate violations in accordance with extant laws”.