NIGERIA, CALABAR – The Cross River State Government has issued a fresh reminder enforcing a total ban on knockouts, bangers and fireworks across all 18 local government areas as the Yuletide season begins.
The directive, contained in a press statement signed by Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, was released on Monday and circulated to media outlets, including a Truthlivenews correspondent who confirmed the details of the notice.
Government officials said the renewed warning aligns with a national directive from the Inspector General of Police, who ordered police formations nationwide to clamp down on those responsible for what he described as “heinous crimes” involving dangerous explosives.
The statement emphasized that the Federal Government’s prohibition on fireworks remains fully in force, particularly during the festive season, when insecurity risks typically heighten. It added that security agencies have been placed on alert to monitor compliance round the clock.
According to the Commissioner, the ban has become a necessary precaution to help agencies “gauge and monitor security situations” and respond swiftly to emergencies. He stressed that enforcement teams would not hesitate to act against defaulters.
Members of the public were urged to take the directive seriously. “Huge consequences shall apply to all defaulters,” Ekpang warned in the statement, noting that safety and communal responsibility must take precedence during the celebrations.
The reminder also referenced the state’s 196 political wards, stating that residents across every community must comply to avoid incidents often triggered by fireworks, including fires, injuries and panic, especially in densely populated neighbourhoods.
The government said the decision aims to ensure a peaceful holiday period and to prevent the misuse of explosives that frequently disrupt public order. The Commissioner encouraged families, youth groups and community leaders to help spread awareness and discourage violations.
Ekpang concluded the statement by extending goodwill to residents, wishing them “a bumper Christmas season of sweetness and a prosperous New Year 2026,” while reiterating that safety would remain the state’s top priority throughout the festive period.
Security agencies across the state are expected to begin strict enforcement immediately, with routine patrols and community monitoring designed to ensure full compliance with the ban.