A cross-section of Nigerians has condemned the use of fire crackers during the festivity period considering the danger it poses on the public.
This is coming just as the Lagos State Police Command issued a strong warning against the use of fireworks or fire crackers by some youths who purchase them.
The police warned both buyers and sellers of fire crackers to desist from the illegality or face the full wrath of the law.
A lawyer, Fidelis John, cautioned against the use of fire crackers saying the practice is dangerous to health and does not add any value to life.
John spoke to The Point recently against the backdrop of use of fire cracker during the Christmas season noting that: “Fire crackers are not good for the health. It is also dangerous to the environment as it can cause harm to other people. I don’t think it is necessary to use fire crackers to celebrate the season. There is no gain in it and government should ban it.”
However, a fire cracker seller at Idumota community in Lagos State, Bimbo Adeshola, had a different view on it. She said, “There is nothing wrong in using the fire crackers. It makes people to be happy and makes Christmas and New Year very enjoyable.” She urged the people not to be discouraged from using it “because it is a norm to usher Christmas and the New Year in with fire crackers.
Meanwhile, the police said incendiary objects used to create fun during festivity period had injured many people in the past in the process of using it.
A two-year-old child simply called Buchi, who fell victim to fire crackers was left in a sorry state on December 31, 2017.
His mother was returning from church vigil without having the premonition that danger was lurking around the corner.
It was gathered that the woman was walking along Agege Motor Road, Mushin, Lagos, when the fireworks went off in the face of her baby. It injured his left eye. The boy was bleeding from the eyes and cried nonstop. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital.
A woman named Mrs Folarin was rushed to the hospital last year, December 24. The fireworks went off on her breasts, leaving her with a serious injury. She was rushed to a private hospital at Satellite Town, Lagos.
According to her, “The injury has healed but the scar is still there. The scar reminds me of the worst Christmas ever in my life. I suffered so much; fireworks are bad and its use should not be encouraged.”
Another victim, Benedict Ayabeke, 11, said he was playing with his friend when another threw fire cracker at him and it blasted in
his ear.
Ayabeke said, “I was crying and did not know what to do. It injured me. I cried till day break. The name of the boy is Ade. I too had to buy my own fire cracker and I waited for the revenge. When he saw me with fire cracker he ran away. It was so painful that I could not sleep. I chased him with fire crackers and he ran into their room. My mother had to rush me to a hospital where they treated me.”
Ayabeke said, “His family had to come to our apartment to beg my mum and dad. The injury left a mark behind. I don’t wish anybody to experience such pains.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command as warned that fire crackers remains banned in the metropolis.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti has said that fire crackers remained banned and people should desist from detonating them in the metropolis.
Speaking with The Point, Oti said that fireworks are dangerous and could even lead to fire outbreak. He also said it could pose security risk on residents because when you allow fire crackers nobody will know when and where armed robbers are
operating.
Oti said, “Fire crackers remain banned in Lagos. Fire crackers can cause fire outbreak. It had burnt many buildings in Lagos State in the past. It is a security risk because where armed robbers are operating police may not know (whether robbery is taking place or fire crackers are being used) because the sound of fire crackers and that of some guns are similar. If they are killing people with guns police may think that they are detonating fire crackers. So, it causes security risk and the police authority will not tolerate it. “Fireworks are also harmful to the body. Fireworks had disfigured many people, so both adults and children should use their money for different things that can make them happy as they celebrate the yuletide.”.
