Fireworks: As Yuletide Approaches

Majekodunmi Segun

Aside the buzzing and rattling of guns from Nigerian soldiers exchanging fire with insurgents in the evil forests of Sambisa in the war zones of the North-East of the country, the next noise are the ones from children throwing bangers and fireworks to welcome the coming Xmas, as if there are no laws against it
On January 26, 2012 the news media reported the story of an inferno, allegedly caused by a fireworks stored at a warehouse at Jankara market Lagos Island the havoc caused this inferno are in inexplicably painful; a kid was reportedly burnt to death, property worth of Millions were destroyed  and many were injured.
Over the years, the ban fireworks has been one of the rituals of the police banning fireworks from sale to the Nigerian public during Christmas seasons.
The ban didn’t say what happens to the sellers of fireworks, popularly called knock-out or bangers. It was understood that importers of such items risked being arrested for flouting the order.
Even as the ban has been applauded by some residents of Lagos and other states, observers are worried about the implementation and enforcement of the order by the various police commands.
These simple fireworks consist of a rolled paper tube filled with gunpowder with a fuse at the top. The banger is lit and then usually discarded by throwing it. After a short pause the banger explodes with a loud bang. Investigations showed that the ban was as a result of their potential to cause injury through misuse.
Experts stated that such ban is necessary to discourage misuse by children. Bangers are still on sale in Nigeria on yearly basis in Nigeria and nobody has been convicted before now for throwing banger and fireworks.
From Ajangbadi in Ojo areas of Lagos State to Ajegunle in Ifelodun/Ajeromi Local Government Area, to Ikotun in Alimosho to FESTAC Town and from Isolo to Oshodi, and to Onitsha in Anambra, in the South-East zone and to Calabar, to Uyo and to Warri all in South-South, it has been bangs, bangs, and bangs. These are the noise of the fireworks and knock-outs as it’s commonly called.
Manufacturers and importers of the bangers and fireworks, including the retail shop owners are smiling to their banks, as youths troop to the shops in last minute rush to buy the devices in readiness for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
It has come to the knowledge of the Nigeria Police Force that some Nigerians have started using fireworks and firecrackers in anticipation of the yuletide celebrations. With the present security situation, occasioned by recent bombings in parts of the country, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, is advising Nigerians to desist from using fireworks, otherwise called “knock out” as the ban on it is still in force. This warning becomes crucial as there are reports that hoodlums are now using fireworks to confuse Nigerians in order to carry out their nefarious activities. Violators of this warning will be made to face the wrath of the law.
Our correspondent got Lagosians thought over the use of fireworks as christmas and New year approach  by speaking with some of them.
A Lagos resident, Ubochi Akandu, told New Telegraph that governments at both state and federal levels are guilty of fireworks and bangers because they also use it during the day and night time celebrations and parties.
The crackers are still available to professional displayers. Fireworks are made from a long tube of crackling powder and are legally classed as a fountain. The emergence of Boko Haram has increased the fear of fireworks and other explosives.
Mrs Olatunji Mother of two kids said I cannot buy banger for my children because they are too small for it, as for me the mature age I see for children to play with banger is fourteen upward"
Some parent see nothing bad in it, like a trader Mrs Babatunde she said "There is nothing bad in using banger to celebrate Christmas and New Year all we as parent have to do is to instruct our children on how to handle it"
In a conversation with our correspondent, Olufemi Davies a fourteen year old Senior Secondary School student said "If I don't throw banger during Christmas as for me that means the celebration is incomplete  though I haven't seen someone whom it has dis figured"
Mr Gbemileke a Civil Servant and father of four said "if there is one thing I will never let my children play with, it is fireworks because that was what killed cousin in Year 2000 while celebrating the New Millennium, since then I have vowed to never buy it with my Money or even play with it"
Firecrackers are commonly used in celebration of holidays or festivals, such as New Year, Halloween, and Independence Day. It was discovered that firecrackers, as well as other types of explosives, are subject to various laws in many countries, although firecrackers themselves are not usually considered illegal contraband material.
It is usually the manufacture, sale, storage, and use of firecrackers that are subject to laws including safety requirements for manufacture, the requirement of a permit to sell or store, or restrictions on the use of firecrackers.
The use of firecrackers, although a traditional part of celebration, has over the years led to many injuries. There have been incidents every year of users being blinded, losing body parts, or suffering other injuries, especially during festivities that customarily involve firecrackers such as the Xmas and New Year season. Security agencies and many governments have enacted laws completely banning the sale or use of firecrackers, or banning the use of firecrackers in the street, primarily because of safety issues but the orders have not yielded fruit.
Chairman Of Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnik sustained a serious  injuries in the face while lighting a firework to celebrate Valentine's day exloded in his face in February 2012  in his Warri home, Delta state when he was the FA Chairman for Delta State It left him in coma for days before he recovered, and left him scars on his face.
Even the storage of fireworks is hazardous  if it is stored where there is heat. Government should intercede as the situation is getting out of hand.