In response to a recent altercation involving soldiers, the Nigerian Armyhas shut down Banex Plaza, a shopping complex in Wuse 2, Abuja. This action follows attacks on soldiers over the weekend. Mr. Somto, a trader from the nearby Emab Plaza, confirmed the closure to our correspondent via phone call on Monday, stating that while Banex is locked down, Emab Plaza remains unaffected.
Another shop owner at Banex Plaza, who wished to remain anonymous, also confirmed the closure and added that traders are currently in discussions with the Army to resolve the situation. He mentioned that military vehicles are stationed at each gate of Banex Plaza, preventing entry.
The conflict began on Saturday, prompting the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command to deploy officers from the Intelligence Response Team to the area. A viral video on social media showed civilians overpowering soldiers in a brawl at Banex Plaza.
According to a statement by the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the incident started when a customer brought four soldiers to demand a refund for a faulty phone, leading to a confrontation with the shop owner. The situation escalated when a mob attacked the soldiers, causing chaos in the area.
In retaliation, soldiers reportedly stormed Banex Plaza on Saturday evening, assaulting passersby and guarding the premises. A circulating video also showed soldiers punishing individuals at the scene. Efforts are ongoing to negotiate the reopening of the plaza.
