The Nigerian Army says it temporarily shut business activities at the popular Banex plaza in Wuze 2, Abuja to enable it apprehend hoodlums that attacked soldiers in the shopping plaza.
Blueprint reports that some thugs had attacked at least three soldiers after an argument over a faulty mobile device in the plaza on Saturday.
The thugs allegedly broke into groups and descended on the soldiers in uniform.
Some traders had closed for the day and fled home to apparently avoid being caught up in a reprisal attack.
However, hours after the assault, armed soldiers invaded the market chasing people in different directions.
Army spokesperson Major General Onyema Nwachuckwu in statement on Tuesday, said the Army after meeting with management of the plaza agreed to temporarily shut it down in order to apprehend the perpetrators of the attack.
He also said the Army will investigates the circumstances surrounding the presence of the personnel at the plaza and the attack that ensued in order to avoid reoccurrence of what happened in Okuama community in Delta state where 17 soldiers including officers were killed.
The statement read in part: “Following the recent unrest at Banex Plaza in Wuse, Abuja, on Saturday 18 May 2024, by yet to be identified hoodlums who launched a brutal attack on some Nigerian Army personnel, a swift intervention by soldiers and policemen on internal security duties salvaged the situation and rescued the attacked personnel from being lynched by the hoodlums.
“It is important to note that the soldiers attacked were unarmed, did not engage in any form of aggression, and posed no threat to anyone. Therefore, the cruel treatment meted out to them was entirely unwarranted and unjustifiable.
“In response to this unfortunate incident, a meeting was convened with the management of Banex Plaza to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous act by temporarily shutting down activities in the plaza to ensure that the hoodlums who have been using the Banex neighborhood as a sanctuary to pose a security threat to the Federal Capital Territory were apprehended.
“This, is in furtherance of the need for extensive investigation to be conducted at the scene to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of this mayhem. This investigation ultimately aims at ensuring the security of the Federal Capital Territory and to prevent such unwarranted attacks on own personnel and other security operatives, as has been observed in other areas, such as the unfortunate attack in Okuama.
“The Nigerian Army will equally ensure that it diligently investigates the circumstances surrounding the presence of the personnel at the plaza and the attack that ensued.
“Nonetheless, such acts of violence against personnel are not only condemnable, but could degenerate to a breakdown of law and order, orchestrating threats to national security.
“Accordingly, the NA enjoins members of the public to exercise caution and restraint in dealing with military personnel and other security operatives, especially when they are in uniform. There are established channels through which grievances or misconduct by personnel could be reported to the appropriate authorities. It is imperative that these channels are utilized to maintain order and respect for those who serve and protect our nation.”
