Yuletide: Police Reiterate Ban on Fireworks, Knockouts, other Explosives in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State Police Command has reiterated that ban on the use of fireworks, knockouts, and other explosives during festivities was still in force.

Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga in a statement noted that the use of knockouts and fireworks, aside from constituting nuisance and disturbance to public peace and safety, was capable of causing unnecessary fear and apprehension and other dangers associated with its usage, especially during this harmattan period.

He also cautioned against discreditable conduct of some individuals using tinted vehicles except where necessary as criminal elements use it to beat security points and attack security operatives in the State.

He further urged the public to desist from engaging in any form of jungle justice but rather take any suspect apprehended to the nearest Police Station to enable for appropriate investigation and to bring the suspects to justice.

The statement reads, “As part of efforts to enhance public safety and peace in the State, the Police Command urges Ndi Anambra to remain vigilant and seek their support in sustaining safety, improving surveillance and reporting any suspicious activities or information to the nearest police station or via our emergency hotlines on 07039194332 or the PRO 08039334002.

“We also attached the phone numbers of the respective Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers in this regard.

“The Command frowns at the discreditable conduct of some individuals using tinted vehicles and discourages the use, except if necessary because of how criminal elements use it to beat security points and attack security operatives in the State.

“Given the climate change (harmattan Period), you are advised of negligent acts such as uncontrolled bush burning, immoderate dropping of cigarette butts, use of firecrackers and other explosives, careless handling of receptacles for trash, poor handling of electrical appliances and other human actions or inactions capable of causing fire outbreaks or a raging inferno should be avoided.

“The Command urges members of the public to desist from engaging in any form of jungle justice and to exercise restraint always. They should endeavour to take any suspect apprehended to the nearest Police Station, as this would afford the Police the opportunity to conduct appropriate investigation and bring the suspects to justice.

“The Comand also advised motorists to always obey traffic rules and reiterated the ban on the use of fireworks, knockouts, and other explosives during festivities is still in force.

“The Command notes that the use of knockouts and fireworks, aside from constituting nuisance and disturbance to public peace and safety, is also capable of causing unnecessary fear and apprehension and other dangers associated with its usage, especially during this harmattan period.

“The Command remains committed to consolidating on the gains in crime prevention restoration of law and order and improving the safety and security of lives in the State.”