By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Bethrand C. Onuoha, has banned the use of fireworks, popularly known as “Knockout or Banga,” across the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP William Ayah, disclosed this in Lokoja on Thursday in a statement shared with reporters.
According to the statement, the directive was issued during a briefing with the Command Management Team at the Police Headquarters in Lokoja.
The CP,who noted that criminal elements exploit fireworks to perpetrate crimes, emphasized that the command would not tolerate such acts of criminality.
He urged parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against playing with fireworks.
Officers have been instructed to arrest and prosecute anyone found violating the ban. Additionally, shop owners who sell or supply fireworks will face arrest and prosecution.
The police commissioner also called on residents to report shops selling fireworks to the nearest law enforcement agency.
Reassuring the public, CP Onuoha stated that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, remain committed to safeguarding lives and property in Kogi State.
He further urged residents to report suspicious activities or objects in their communities for prompt action, Ayah said.
