YULETIDE SECURITY: POLICE BAN FIREWORKS IN ANAMBRA

REPORTER: KEVIN EKEDIEGWU

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra state, Mr. Echeng Echeng, has banned the sale and use of fireworks, knockouts, and firecrackers in the state.

In a statement, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga, said the plan was to enhance adequately an already policing strategy put in place to respond to any emergency and security concerns peculiar to Christmas and end-of-the-year festivities.

The statement explained that Mr. Echeng noted that the use of knockouts, and fireworks, aside from constituting nuisance and disturbance to the public peace, was also capable of causing unnecessary fear, apprehension and other dangers associated with its usage, especially during this harmattan period.

It said the CP observed that the use of knockouts could aid the possibility of providing an escape space for criminals after committing a crime.

The statement also called on parents and guardians to impress on their children and wards to desist from the sale and use of fireworks, firecrackers, knockouts, and others as the ban was in the best interest of the members of the public.

It warned persons trading in the banned items to seek alternative ventures and assured members of the public that the command would leave no stone unturned to ensure that there would not be any form of security breach, especially during this yuletide season.

KEVIN EKEDIEGWU