Lagos — The Muslim Congress (TMC) yesterday said the Federal Government should ban importation of fire crackers into the country in view of the security situation and the havoc they cause to the citizens.

The group, in a statement signed by its president Luqman AbdurRaheem, said outright ban of fireworks is long overdue, because fireworks practically damage and destroy the environment and valuable public utilities.

While sympathizing with the victims of the fire disaster caused by fireworks, TMC said "celebration from theological and epistemological perspectives connotes a time for sober reflection and emulation of the sublime precepts of the prophets of revealed religions. Deploying fireworks to intimidate, harass, injure, maim, kill and render innocent people homeless and hopeless is without mincing word an ungodly act."

The group urged the federal, state and local governments to ban fireworks and ensure that their importation, promotion through marketing and use as objects of entertainment by Nigerians be passionately discouraged.

While reeling out the reason why government should ban firecrackers, he said the explosion of fireworks releases poisonous chemicals and particle-laden smoke, thus contaminating the natural environment inhabited by human beings and animals.