In a statement on Monday, Army spokesperson Major General Onyema Nwachukwu announced that the reopening of Banex Plaza was decided at a high-level meeting convened in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Attendees included 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 military had taken control of the plaza following an attack on its personnel by civilians on Saturday, May 18, 2024. The plaza was closed to investigate the “cruel treatment” of “unarmed soldiers” by individuals at the trade plaza.
On Friday, the House of Representatives urged the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army to immediately reopen Banex Plaza in Abuja. In the Monday statement, Nwachukwu said the meeting’s primary objective was to identify and apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the continued security of the Federal Capital Territory. He added that the leadership of Banex Plaza was instructed to lock up Shop C93 immediately. Additionally, the owners of the shop who orchestrated the mob attack on the soldiers are to be arrested and handed over to the Nigerian Police.
The full statement reads:
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, which occurred on Saturday, May 18, 2024, leading to the closure of the plaza on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
In response to this incident, a high-level meeting was convened in the Office of the National Security Adviser, including 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 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:
a. Immediate reopening of Banex Plaza: Banex Plaza will be reopened immediately to the public.
b. Closure of Shop C93: The leadership of Banex Plaza is instructed to lock up Shop C93 with immediate effect.
c. 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.
d. Vigilance by Market Leaders: Market leaders are to remain vigilant and report any remaining perpetrators to the authorities.
Furthermore, 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. It must be reiterated 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 members of the public to exercise caution and restraint when interacting with military personnel and other security operatives, especially when they are in uniform. There are established channels for reporting grievances or misconduct by personnel 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. 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.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Major General
Director Army Public Relations
27 May 2024