Why Banex Plaza remains shut — Army clarifies

By Adeyanju Esther

The Nigerian Army has provided reasons why the Banex Plaza in Wuse, Abuja remains shut.

In a press statement issued on Monday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army shed light on the circumstances surrounding the closure and the measures being taken to address the security situation.

Banex Plaza had been temporarily closed after an attack on Nigerian Army personnel by unknown hoodlums on May 18, 2024.

Soldiers and policemen intervened quickly to rescue the attacked personnel from being assaulted.

The incident which happened on Saturday has disrupted normal business activities at Banex plaza, which is one of the busiest shopping areas in Abuja.

According to the statement, a group of hoodlums launched a vicious attack on some unarmed Nigerian Army personnel carrying out internal security duties in the area on Saturday.

“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,” Nwachukwu stated.

In response to this “unfortunate incident,” a meeting was convened with the management of Banex Plaza to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

The Army temporarily shut down activities in the plaza “to ensure that the hoodlums who have been using the Banex neighbourhood as a sanctuary to pose a security threat to the Federal Capital Territory were apprehended,” and to prevent further attacks on security operatives.