The Imo State Police Commissioner Rabiu Huissani, on Sunday warned against the use of fireworks and other explosives in the state during the festive season.
He warned the general public that the ban on the use of fireworks and other explosives is still very much in force.
“The command will enforce all the extant laws prohibiting the use of ‘ Knockouts ‘, ‘Banger ‘ etc especially this yuletide season,” he said in a statement by the Command’s spokesman CSP Michael Abattam.
According to him, “it is common knowledge that hoodlums use such Fireworks and Explosives to cause distraction, panic and consequently pandemonium and in the process rob / kidnap unsuspecting victims.”
Also, he added that such fireworks and explosives could be life threatening as it might cause heart attacks in aged persons and fire outbreaks .
“To forestall crime and criminality in the state parents / guardians are advised to educate and guide their children and wards against the use of fireworks and other explosives.
Wholesalers / Retailers of such items are equally warned to stop distribution/ sales of fireworks in the state as anyone found complicit will be arrested, the fireworks or explosives confiscated and such person(s) prosecuted forthwith.”