The Nigerian Army has announced the reopening of the popular Banex Plaza in Abuja after about a week of closure.
This was stated on Monday by Army Spokesperson, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu.
PREMIUM TIMES reported how the military shut down Banex following a mob attack on its staff on Saturday, May 18.
Nwachukwu said the reopening of the square followed a high-level meeting held at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) attended by the FCT Commissioner of Police, the Director of State Security Services the FCT, the leadership and management of Banex Plaza. , a representative of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board Directorate and the national president of the Mobile Phone Traders Association.
He said the meeting was called “to identify and apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the continued security of the FCT.”
He said that at the meeting some resolutions were made, among which was the immediate reopening of Banex Plaza to the public.
Nwachukwu said it was also resolved to close shop C93 with immediate effect while the perpetrators of the mob attack on the soldiers are arrested.
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He also said the military “will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the presence of its personnel in the square and the subsequent attack.”
Read the full statement from the Nigerian Army
UPDATE ON THE CLOSURE OF BANEX PLAZA, ABUJA
The Nigerian Army wishes to provide the latest update on the recent unfortunate development involving an unprovoked attack by unidentified thugs on Nigerian Army personnel at Banex Plaza, Wuse, Abuja, which occurred on Saturday, May 18, 2024, which which caused the closure of the square on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
In response to this incident, a high-level meeting was convened at the Office of the National Security Advisor, which included the NSA Principal Staff Officer, the FCT Police Commissioner, the FCT Director of the Department of State Services, Leadership and Management. of Banex Plaza, a representative of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board Directorate and the national president of the Mobile Phone Traders Association. The main objective of this meeting was to identify and apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the continued security of the Federal Capital Territory.
The following resolutions were agreed upon:
to. Immediate reopening of Banex Plaza: Banex Plaza will be immediately reopened to the public.
b. Closing of Store C93: Banex Plaza management is instructed to close Store C93 with immediate effect.
C. Arrest of the perpetrators: The shop owners who orchestrated the mob attack on the soldiers will be arrested and handed over to the Nigerian police.
d. Vigilance by market leaders: Market leaders must remain vigilant and report any remaining perpetrators to authorities.
Furthermore, the two persons already arrested have been handed over to the headquarters of the Nigerian Army Military Police Corps for further action.
The Nigerian military will also fully investigate the circumstances surrounding the presence of its personnel in the square and the subsequent attack.
It is worth reiterating that acts of violence against military personnel are not only condemnable but also pose a significant threat to national security and public order. We therefore urge the public to exercise caution and restraint when interacting with military personnel and other security officials, especially when they are in uniform. There are established channels to report complaints or staff misconduct to the appropriate authorities. It is imperative that these channels be used to maintain order and respect for those who serve and protect our nation.
The Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring the safety of all citizens and will continue to work diligently to prevent such incidents in the future.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Major General
Army Public Relations Director
May 27, 2024.