The Nigerian Army has addressed the unrest that took place at Banex Plaza in Wuse, Abuja.
On Tuesday, the Army broke its silence on the matter, with Army spokesman Major General Onyema Nwachukwu shedding light on the incident that occurred on Saturday, May 18, 2024. The plaza was subsequently shut down to allow for an investigation into the “cruel treatment” allegedly inflicted upon “unarmed soldiers” by certain individuals at the trade plaza.
Major General Nwachukwu described the attack on the soldiers as “entirely unwarranted and unjustifiable.” According to him, the closure of Banex Plaza was a strategic move to facilitate a thorough investigation and to apprehend those responsible for the assault. The Army had convened a meeting with the plaza’s management to identify and apprehend the perpetrators, stating that the temporary closure was necessary to ensure that the hoodlums using the Banex neighborhood as a hideout and posing a security threat to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were apprehended.
The Army’s statement emphasized the need for an extensive investigation to uncover both the immediate and underlying causes of the unrest. This investigation aims to ensure the security of the FCT and to prevent future attacks on military personnel and other security operatives. The Army also referenced a similar unfortunate attack in Okuama, underscoring the urgency and importance of addressing such incidents to safeguard security operatives and the public.
The Nigerian Army condemned the attack on its personnel and called on the public to exercise caution and restraint when dealing with military personnel and other security operatives. The Army urged Nigerians to use official channels to report grievances or misconduct by its personnel, highlighting the importance of maintaining a respectful and orderly relationship between the military and civilians.
Over the weekend, the popular Banex Plaza saw a significant military and police presence following a scuffle between traders and soldiers. According to sources, the altercation began when three soldiers confronted a trader over an issue with a phone. The disagreement between the involved parties escalated, leading to a physical altercation. The trader, whose shop is located in the complex, alleged that the phone dealers ganged up on and overpowered the unidentified soldiers and a civilian who was with them.
A police account provided additional details, explaining that one Suleiman Ahmed had purchased a phone from Suleiman Ibrahim, a shop owner at Banex Plaza. Upon discovering that the phone was faulty, Ahmed returned with four soldiers to persuade the seller to replace the phone. This request was met with resistance from the shop owner, which further escalated the situation.
The closure of Banex Plaza and the Army’s involvement have sparked discussions about the appropriate handling of conflicts between civilians and military personnel. The Army’s response indicates a commitment to not only addressing the specific incident but also ensuring that such conflicts do not recur. The emphasis on using official channels to report grievances suggests a move towards fostering a more structured and formal approach to resolving disputes involving military personnel.
As the investigation continues, the public and the business community at Banex Plaza await further developments. The Nigerian Army’s actions and statements reflect a broader concern for maintaining order and security in the FCT, and it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved and what measures will be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
