Operatives of the Police Explosives Ordnance Disposal/Chemical Biological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Command have arrested one Babatunde Biala over his alleged involvement in illegal distribution of fireworks.

Biala was arrested at the wee hours of Sunday at a pentecostal church in Asese area of Ibafo, Ogun State while in possession of a large cache of fireworks.

It was gathered that the church usually thrill worshippers with fireworks display during weddings and other major celebrations.

However, fireworks are considered as low explosives under the Explosives Acts 1964 and regulations 1967, and are not to be transported from one place to the other without the approval of the Inspector General of Police (IG), as well as escort from Police EOD experts.

The Nation reports that sale and use of fireworks are usually on the increase during Christmas and New Year celebrations despite warnings about the havoc it wreaks to the environment.

Sources at Asese told The Nation that police preliminary findings revealed the suspect had no licence to fire the pyrotechnics nor did he have the permit to carry same.

It was gathered that upon interrogation, Biala confessed that he was working for one Morufu, who had since fled after learning of the former’s arrest.

A source said: “Since he was arrested in Asese, Ogun State, the procedure is that he would be handed over to the Divisional Police in the community for further investigation and prosecution.

“The suspect operating without licence to fire in tandem with extant laws will make him to be imprisoned.This will serve as deterrence to other illegal operators.

“There have been several warnings by the police EOD-CBRN to operators to follow prescribed procedures but some still flout this directive.

“These items are under the control of the Inspector General of Police in Explosive Acts 1964 and regulations 1967.”

Source: The Nation