Massive clampdown on sellers and users of fireworks in Lagos

The Nigerian police in Lagos State have vowed to clampdown on sellers and users of fireworks across the state following series of explosions in Lagos Island yesterday in which one person was killed and 12 houses and 11 cars burnt.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ngozi Braide confirmed that the ban on fireworks usage during the yuletide has not been lifted and the police would now begin enforcement of the ban.

Braide, who visited the scene of the explosions on Lagos Island, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Wednesday, was shocked by the magnitude of the damage.


“Using fireworks and bangers in Lagos State is still banned. Investigation will commence on the importation of such explosive materials. Are they supposed to store such explosives in a warehouse in a residential area? Whenever Lagosians see such things henceforth, they should call the attention of the police. In the past, these explosives have been used by criminals to commit crime. It has been abused,” she said.

Governor Babatunde Fashola, who also visited the scene yesterday, described the incident as a self-inflicted tragedy.

“We make rules, we break them. All of these items are under one form of prohibition or the other and we have men and women at our various entry and exit points. How did they get in? How did they enter? Who shipped them in? Who imported them and who cleared them? Who approved them to come in? Those are very serious issues. We must also ask ourselves: must we do every business?” he asked.