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 journalists on Tuesday in Abuja.

The residents, calling for stricter enforcement of 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.

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.

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 are 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.

He 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 was when it was mostly practiced.

Similarly, 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 was strongly put in place, compliance was hard and defaulters would always find their way.

Another resident, 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 fun, while adding that, unless parents, the police and community leaders intensify sensitisation against its usage, compliance may be difficult.

Ms 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.

Sharon Obi, a resident in Nyanya, said her concern was the noise and chaos caused by knockouts which could be exploited by criminals 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. 

(NAN)