The Nigerian Army has described the treatment of some soldiers during the temporary closure of Banex Plaza in Wuse by yet-to-be-identified hoodlums as unjustifiable.
In a press statement issued on Monday via X 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.
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.
‘‘Following the recent unrest at Banex Plaza in Wuse, Abuja, on Saturday 18 May 2024, by yet to be identified hoodlums who launched a brutal attack on some Nigerian Army personnel, a swift intervention by soldiers and policemen on internal security duties salvaged the situation and rescued the attacked personnel from being lynched by the hoodlums.
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“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 of this heinous act by temporarily shutting down activities in the plaza to ensure that the hoodlums who have been using the Banex neighborhood as a sanctuary to pose a security threat to the Federal Capital Territory were apprehended.
‘‘This is in furtherance of the need for extensive investigation to be conducted at the scene to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of this mayhem. This investigation ultimately aims at ensuring the security of the Federal Capital Territory and to prevent such unwarranted attacks on own personnel and other security operatives, as has been observed in other areas, such as the unfortunate attack in Okuama.
‘‘The Nigerian Army will equally ensure that it diligently investigates the circumstances surrounding the presence of the personnel at the plaza and the attack that ensued.
‘‘Nonetheless, such acts of violence against personnel are not only condemnable, but could degenerate to a breakdown of law and order, orchestrating threats to national security.’’
Accordingly, the NA enjoins members of the public to exercise caution and restraint in dealing with military personnel and other security operatives, especially when they are in uniform. There are established channels through which grievances or misconduct by personnel could be reported 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.
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.”
The statement emphasised the need for “extensive investigation to be conducted at the scene to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of this mayhem.”
‘‘Accordingly, the investigation aims to ensure the security of the Federal Capital Territory and prevent “such unwarranted attacks on own personnel and other security operatives, as has been observed in other areas, such as the unfortunate attack in Okuama.”
While the Army pledged to investigate the circumstances surrounding the presence of the personnel at the plaza and the subsequent attack, the statement condemned the act of violence, stating, “Such acts of violence against personnel are not only condemnable but could degenerate to a breakdown of law and order, orchestrating threats to national security.”
The Army urged members of the public to exercise caution and restraint when dealing with military personnel and other security operatives, especially when they are in uniform.
“There are established channels through which grievances or misconduct by personnel could be reported to the appropriate authorities. It is imperative that these channels are utilised to maintain order and respect for those who serve and protect our nation,” the statement read.
