By Nnaemeka Anochiam/ Veronica Dariya
Some residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed concerns over the persistent and indiscriminate use of firecrackers/knockout explosives in communities, in spite of warnings by the police.
The residents expressed their concerns in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
The residents calling for stricter enforcement on the ban said the action was a disregard of safety, security, and police directives.
They also decried the noise and potential risk the action posed to community members.
Recall that the FCT Police Command had in November, issued a warning to residents, advising them to stop the sale, purchase, and use of firecrackers, knockout explosives, and other unauthorised pyrotechnics during the yuletide.
Mr Moses Ibrahim, a resident of Kubwa Village Market, said many residents, although aware of the police warnings, still use these knockouts, especially in the evenings when people were trying to relax.
He said although the act was “enjoyable” to some, it posed tension and a danger signs to others, especially with the security situation in the country and urged the police to first engage and stop sellers of the product; adding that security patrols in the evening within communities could help reduce the menace, as that is when it is mostly practiced.
Similarly, Mr Ali Abdullahi, a shop owner in Dutse-Alhaji, said the use of knockouts still persists in the area in spite of the ban, frightening residents and posing risks to some shop owners.
He said that people only obeyed such laws and rules temporarily when directed but until full enforcement is strongly put in place, compliance is hard and defaulters would always find their way.
Another resident, Mrs Amaka Alphonsus, while calling on parents to give a closer monitoring of their wards and children, also noted that children were most culpable without fully aware of the danger it poses.
According to her, children use knockouts secretly for the fun, while adding that unless parents, the police and community leaders intensify sensitisation against its usage, compliance may be difficult.
Alphonsus said that asides the noise pollution it poses, use of knockouts could continue to create panic and possibly cause injuries to especially its users, if handled carelessly and therefore must be discouraged.
She added that people often complied to such directives only when police were visible, stressing the need for continuous enforcement plans to tackle the menace.
Mrs Sharon Obi, a resident in Nyanya, said her concern was the noise and chaos caused by knockouts which could be exploited by criminal to mask unlawful activities, creating a heightened sense of insecurity.
According to her, the use of firecrackers poses significant safety hazards, including potential injuries, fire outbreaks, and widespread panic among the populace.
