The Ogun State Police Command has issued a stern warning against the use of fireworks, emphasizing that violators will face severe consequences. This decision comes in response to numerous complaints from residents across the state, particularly in Sagamu, Ikenne, Ijebu Ode, and Sango Ota.

Residents have expressed concerns that the loud bangs from fireworks, which often resemble gunshots, are causing anxiety and disrupting their peace. 

The police acknowledged that fireworks are a traditional part of end-of-year celebrations, but they stressed that their indiscriminate use is now adding to security concerns in the state.

“Ogun State Police Command is inundated with report indices coming from residents since November 1, 2023, especially in Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ikenne and Sango Ota, over the indiscriminate use of dangerous fireworks popularly  that the deafening sound of it threatens the state of peace of mind, triggering anxiety of residents especially amid security concerns expressed by residents in Ogun State.

The police emphasized that the Commissioner of Police, CP Alamutu Abiodun, has issued a stern warning to anyone who disregards this directive, emphasizing that “banger” is a criminal offense and violators will face punitive sanctions in accordance with extant laws.

“Following these reports of apprehension before the Ogun State Police Command, the Commissioner of Police, CP Alamutu Abiodun, has henceforth declared a ban on indiscriminate use of explosive fireworks in Ogun State, upholding the distressing complaints from residents and the community about their inability to differentiate between gunshots and genuine fireworks, that residents have been throwing causing sleepless night, constant terror from the deafening bang of these dangerous explosives,” the Ogun State Police Command said in a statement.