The Nigerian Army provided reasons on Monday for reopening Banex Plaza after soldiers were attacked by hoodlums. They demanded that the shop owner responsible for orchestrating the mob attack be arrested and handed over to the Nigerian Police.
Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, stated, “Market leaders are to remain vigilant and report any remaining perpetrators to the authorities.” He added that the Army would thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the presence of its personnel at the plaza and the subsequent attack.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, May 18, 2024, led to the closure of Banex Plaza on Sunday, May 19, 2024. A high-level meeting was convened in the Office of the National Security Adviser, including key officials and representatives from various agencies and the management of Banex Plaza, to address the issue.
The resolutions from the meeting were:
1. Immediate reopening of Banex Plaza.
2. Immediate closure of Shop C93.
3. Arrest of the shop owners responsible for the mob attack and handing them over to the Nigerian Police.
4. Increased vigilance by market leaders to report any remaining perpetrators.
Two individuals already arrested have been handed over to the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police for further action. The Army emphasized that acts of violence against military personnel are condemnable and pose a significant threat to national security and public order.
The public is urged to exercise caution and restraint when interacting with military personnel and other security operatives. Established channels for reporting grievances or misconduct by personnel should be utilized to maintain order and respect for those serving to protect the nation.
