Crime News
Why we reopened Banex plaza – Army
The Nigerian Army has announced the reopening of Banex Plaza in Abuja after achieving crucial agreements with various stakeholders.
The plaza had been shut down on Saturday, May 18, following a physical altercation between some traders and soldiers over phone sales.
Maj.-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, the army’s spokeswoman, released a statement on Monday detailing the decision. According to Nwachukwu, a high-level meeting was convened in the Office of the National Security Adviser to address the incident. Attendees included the Principal General Staff Officer to the NSA, the Commissioner of Police for the FCT, the FCT Director of the Department of State Services, the Leadership and Management of Banex Plaza, a representative from the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, and the National Chairman of the Mobile Phone Traders Association. The primary objective of the meeting was to identify and apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the continued security of the Federal Capital Territory.
Key resolutions from the meeting included:
– Immediate reopening of Banex Plaza.
– Immediate closure of shop C93.
– Arrest and handover of the shop owners involved in the altercation to the Nigerian Police.
– Market leaders are to remain vigilant and report any remaining perpetrators to the authorities.
Nwachukwu also mentioned that two soldiers involved in the incident have been arrested and handed over to the headquarters of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police for further action. The army will conduct a thorough investigation into 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,” Nwachukwu stated. She urged the public to exercise caution and restraint when interacting with military personnel and other security operatives, especially when they are in uniform.
Nwachukwu emphasized the importance of utilizing established channels for reporting grievances or misconduct by military personnel to maintain order and respect for those who serve and protect the nation.