KWARA POLICE ENFORCE BAN ON FIREWORKS AHEAD OF CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR OVER SECURITY CONCERNS

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Kwara State Police Command has announced strict enforcement of the ban on the sale, use and distribution of fireworks across the state as preparations for Christmas and New Year celebrations intensify.

The directive, issued on Thursday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, follows heightened security concerns and comes just two days after the Kwara State House of Assembly urged the government to outlaw fireworks during festive periods.

Ejire-Adeyemi said the Command has heightened surveillance and deployed personnel to strategic areas including markets, worship centres, motor parks and other public spaces to ensure a peaceful holiday season.

According to him, criminals often hide behind the loud explosions from fireworks to perpetrate crimes, making the ban necessary.

“The use, sale and distribution of fireworks, bangers and other explosive devices remain strictly prohibited. These items can cause panic, trigger false alarms and serve as a cover for criminal activities,” he warned.

He added that joint patrols and intelligence-sharing operations have been intensified to deter crime across communities.

The police also reaffirmed that the restriction on motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke Napep) between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. remains fully in force.

“This regulation continues to play a crucial role in reducing night-time crimes and enhancing community safety,” Ejire-Adeyemi stated.

Residents were urged to comply with the directives and remain vigilant. The Command provided emergency contact numbers, 08125275046 and 0703206950, for reporting suspicious activities.

Earlier, during Wednesday’s plenary, the House of Assembly warned that fireworks make it difficult for security operatives to distinguish between celebratory blasts and gunshots, delaying emergency responses.

While moving the motion titled *“The Need to Address the Use of Knockouts and Fireworks During Festive Season as a Security Countermeasure,”* Hon. Ogunniyi David stressed that prioritising public safety over tradition was essential.

Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu also called for statewide sensitisation on the dangers and legal consequences of using fireworks.

With the announcement, Kwara joins Osun, Nasarawa, Delta and other states where police commands have issued similar bans ahead of the festive season.