THE Nigerian Army, on Monday, May 27, confirmed the immediate reopening of the popular Abuja Banex Plaza, following an understanding among the authorities, plaza management and traders’ association.
Recall that the plaza was shut for over a week following a mob attack on some soldiers by unidentified hoodlums on May 18.
A statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Monday, in Abuja, said a high-level meeting was convened in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), including the Principal General Staff Officer to the NSA, Commissioner of Police, FCT and the FCT Director of the Department of State Service (DSS).
Others on the panel, according to him, were the leadership and management of the plaza, a representative from the Directorate of Abuja Environmental Protection Board and the national chairman of the Mobile Phone Traders Association.
Nwachukwu explained that the primary objective of the meeting was to identify and apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the continued security of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), adding that the following resolutions were agreed upon: “Immediate reopening of Banex Plaza to the public and the leadership of Banex Plaza is instructed to lock up Shop C93 with immediate effect.
“The owners of the shop, who orchestrated the mob attack on the soldiers, are to be arrested and handed over to the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
“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.”
Nwachukwu reiterated that acts of violence against military personnel were not only condemnable, but also pose a significant threat to national security and public order, urging the public to exercise caution and restraint when interacting with military personnel and other security operatives, especially when they are in uniform.
He explained that there are established channels for reporting grievances or misconduct by personnel to the appropriate authorities, noting: “It is imperative that these channels are utilised to maintain order and respect for those who serve and protect our nation.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring safety and security of all citizens and will continue to work diligently to prevent such incidents in the future.”
