The Nigerian Army has provided detailed reasons for the reopening of Banex Plaza after soldiers were attacked by hoodlums at the market. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, May 18, 2024, led to the closure of the plaza on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
The soldiers involved in the incident insisted that the owner of the shop who orchestrated the mob attack must be arrested and handed over to the Nigerian Police. Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, emphasized the need for vigilance among market leaders to report any remaining perpetrators to the authorities.
In a statement, Major General Nwachukwu explained, “The Nigerian Army wishes to provide the latest update on the recent unfortunate event involving an unprovoked attack by unidentified hoodlums on Nigerian Army personnel at Banex Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. The incident led to the temporary closure of the Plaza.”
To address the situation, a high-level meeting was convened in the Office of the National Security Adviser. The meeting included key officials such as the Principal General Staff Officer to the NSA, the Commissioner of Police FCT, the FCT Director of the Department of State Services, the leadership and management of Banex Plaza, a representative from the Directorate of Abuja Environmental Protection Board, and the National Chairman of the Mobile Phone Traders Association.
The primary objective of the meeting was to identify and apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the continued security of the Federal Capital Territory. The following resolutions were agreed upon:
- Immediate Reopening of Banex Plaza: Banex Plaza will be reopened immediately to the public.
- Closure of Shop C93: The leadership of Banex Plaza is instructed to lock up Shop C93 with immediate effect.
- Arrest of Perpetrators: The owners of the shop who orchestrated the mob attack on the soldiers are to be arrested and handed over to the Nigerian Police.
- Vigilance by Market Leaders: Market leaders are to remain vigilant and report any remaining perpetrators to the authorities.
Additionally, the statement confirmed that the two individuals already arrested have been handed over to the headquarters of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police for further action. The Nigerian Army will also thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the presence of its personnel at the plaza and the subsequent attack.
Major General Nwachukwu reiterated, “Acts of violence against military personnel are not only condemnable but also pose a significant threat to national security and public order. We urge members of the public to exercise caution and restraint when interacting with military personnel and other security operatives, especially when they are in uniform.”
He further emphasized the importance of utilizing established channels for reporting grievances or misconduct by personnel to the appropriate authorities to maintain order and respect for those who serve and protect the nation.
The Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens and will continue to work diligently to prevent such incidents in the future.