Abuja: Some residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed concerns over the persistent and indiscriminate use of firecrackers and knockout explosives in communities, in spite of warnings by the police. They expressed their concerns in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the residents are calling for stricter enforcement on the ban, stating that 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. NAN reports 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 unauthorized pyrotechnics during the yuletide.
Mr. Moses Ibrahim, a resident of Kubwa Village Market, noted that many residents, although aware of the police warnings, still used these knockouts, especially in the evenings when people were trying to relax. He urged the police to engage and stop sellers of the product, adding that security patrols in the evening within communities could help reduce the menace, as that was when it was mostly practiced.
Similarly, Mr. Ali Abdullahi, a shop owner in Dutse-Alhaji, mentioned that the use of knockouts still persisted in the area despite the ban, frightening residents and posing risks to some shop owners. He emphasized that people only obeyed such laws temporarily when directed, but until full enforcement was strongly put in place, compliance was hard and defaulters would always find their way.
Another resident, Mrs. Amaka Alphonsus, called on parents to monitor their wards and children closely, noting that children were most culpable without fully understanding the danger. According to her, unless parents, the police, and community leaders intensify sensitization against its usage, compliance may be difficult. She highlighted the noise pollution and potential for panic and injuries if knockouts were handled carelessly.
Mrs. Sharon Obi, a resident in Nyanya, expressed concern over the noise and chaos caused by knockouts, which could be exploited by criminals to mask unlawful activities, creating a heightened sense of insecurity.