Year’s end sees firecrackers becoming menace

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) last Tuesday disclosed that the satellite towns like the metropolis were noted for heavy sounds of knock-outs that were not in any way different from those of guns. A resident of Masaka in Nasarawa State, one Emmanuel Isaac, who’s a student, said those who lighted and threw the […]

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) last Tuesday disclosed that the satellite towns like the metropolis were noted for heavy sounds of knock-outs that were not in any way different from those of guns.

A resident of Masaka in Nasarawa State, one Emmanuel Isaac, who’s a student, said those who lighted and threw the substances were middle-aged men capable of resisting the shocks associated with the sound. “Their targeted areas are places where there is flow of human traffic or residential areas where attention could be distracted.’’ he said.

Isaac added that in his boyhood days, they used spokes of bicycles and scratched match-heads for the purpose and could not resist the sounds of imported knockouts. But in recent years, the society is being turned to barracks where youths are gradually receiving training to resist the shocks of guns.

In the same way, Ali Bello, a resident of Nyanya Federal Housing disclosed that such nuisance prevailed in his neighbourhood, but that on several occasions, youths have received joint discipline after creating discomfort for mothers and their children. “The first explosion in the area happened some days before Christmas and it was scary. Fully grown men almost took to their heels and we cautioned the man who lighted it. The second was thrown into our compound and it landed at the entrance of a room. A boy in the area showed us the 28-year-old man who did it and we gave him some lashes,” he said.

A housewife, Helen Saleh, said in her childhood days, knockouts were fired by boys below the ages of 18 and the family always lacked matches for domestic use because these children did not know the economic implications of what they were doing. But today, the lighting of the explosives is no longer for children alone. The packets of knockouts used by men during festivals are capable of feeding a family for a week,” she said.    

In a further discussion with one Remi Michael, a mechanic at Mararaba, he said mothers who entrust their business into their children’s hands have disagreed with the children on several occasions where he lives in Karu due to the misappropriation of account.

“On December 23, a hypertensive mother who is always at the hospital for medical check-up almost beat her child to death for causing such explosion in the compound,” adding that the sounds of these substances are capable of worsening the condition of any patient recently discharged from hospital. “Gradually, the adaption to these sounds is a breeding of society with a future full of criminals,” said Remi.

Even more serious is the fact that many users of fireworks do not know how to properly use them or the consequences of improper use. Narrowly escaping being burnt, Mrs Ibukun Osho said, “Power had gone out, so my family and I were relaxing on the rooftop of our house which we had done up with thatch. All of a sudden, as we were still admiring the colours from sparks from the firework, we noticed that our roof was brightly lit. It took us about 30 seconds to realise it was on fire. Apparently, somebody had thrown a firework onto the roof which set the thatch ablaze. Somehow, we survived and were able to put the fire out in good time.

“Fun as these things are, it is necessary for rules or regulations to be set in place regarding the use of fireworks to prevent such accidents,” she said.

At some point, there was to be a ban on the use of fireworks which never saw the light of day. Dealers in the product seem to have an answer as to why it would never have worked. Umoru Maikarfi, a major dealer in fireworks, said, “Some years back when they started this gist about banning bangers, rockets and other types, the police used to come to check if we were stocking them. They never found anything, because we had our ways of hiding them.” He added, “It is not possible for them to stop the sale of knockouts, because during this season, it is big business for us. The profit we make is huge from the quantity we sell. Most of us invest specially in them when Christmas and New Year are approaching. It is not a business that any of us want to leave in a hurry,” he said.

“How can we celebrate Christmas without rockets or bangers, questioned Mr Isaiah Moses, a Wuse 3 resident. That is not Christmas at all. I use it and I give my children money to go and buy. We use it together so that I can be sure they are not throwing them into neighbours’ compounds or at people in church. But anybody discouraging the use is wasting his/her time, I must say. The best they can do is to caution and educate users on the dangers when not properly handled,” he said.

Speaking to a policeman on condition of anonymity, our reporters learned that, “Even we didn’t think we would make headway with the ban on fireworks. Asides children using it, many adults also enjoy and encourage its use.” Confirming Maikarfi’s statement, he said, “Also, when we made an attempt at stopping its sales, the dealers always seemed to be a step ahead of us. I personally gave up even though it is a worrisome issue. I have seen cases where a child almost lost her fingers while holding on to a banger after it was ignited and exploded in her hand.”

He advised that, “In as much as fireworks seem to be a compulsory part of celebrations, users ought to be cautious with their usage to avoid the many hazards that have arisen from their being carelessly handled.”