CSP Adebowale Lawal, Public Relations Officer, Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, on Wednesday
reaffirmed the ban on street carnivals and the use of
fireworks during the Yuletide.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the
Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, had
banned such activities due to the high rate of robbery and insurgency in the country.

According to Lawal, the ban would also help to avoid
unnecessary bloodshed during the Christmas and
New Year festivities.

“Following instructions from the Inspector-General of Police, any form of street carnival and the use of
fireworks still remain banned.

“The idea is to prevent undesirable elements from
hiding under the guise of celebrating with fireworks
to unleash mayhem on innocent members of the
public.

“We don’t want anyone to lose his or her life in the
cause of celebrating this period.

“The rivalry fights between cult members often start
from some of these street carnivals and we do not
want such incidences to happen during this year’s
celebration,’’ he said.

Lawal added that for street carnivals to hold, the
organisers should appropriately inform the
Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area.

The PPRO disclosed that policemen were regularly
patrolling the markets to ensure check the sale of
fireworks.

“We have our men everywhere, especially in the
markets to ensure that fireworks were totally
removed.

“This is because fireworks have the same sound as
some of the guns these criminals use and people
cannot differentiate them.

“The ban will help us to secure people during the
Christmas and New Year celebrations,’’ he said.

Lawal also commended the media for their enormous contributions and for partnering with the
police to curb crime in the zone comprising Ogun
and Lagos State.

He added that the media had bridged the gap
between the members of the public and the police.

“The media have given the police a wide coverage
and also helped to maintain a cordial relationship
with the members of the public.

“They have assisted immensely by publicising some
of the jingles that inform the public of their rights.

“Also, the media have helped to spread the Emergency Numbers of the police to the members of the public for them to call in case of any crisis,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Zone 2 Command has released 112 as it number for short messages.

It also released its Control Room numbers as
08065154338, 07055462708, 09052222296 and
07068880008. (NAN)