The Nigerian Army has condemned the attack on its personnel by hoodlums at Banex Plaza in Wuse, Abuja, on Saturday, May 18, 2024. The attack, which was later quelled by soldiers and policemen followed disagreements between the soldiers and a phone vendor.
According to a statement by Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations said the soldiers who were attacked were unarmed and did not engage in any form of aggression. The Army spokesman said the soldiers posed no threat to anyone.
“Therefore, the cruel treatment meted out to them was entirely unwarranted and unjustifiable. In response to the incident, a meeting was convened with the management of Banex Plaza to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of the heinous act.
“The plaza was temporarily shut down to ensure the hoodlums, who have been using the Banex neighborhood as a sanctuary to pose a security threat to the Federal Capital Territory, were apprehended.
“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.”
The Explainer learnt the Army launched an investigation into the incident to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of the mayhem. Nwachukwu said: “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,” he said. Human rights and public affairs analysts have condemned the attack on the soldiers. But there have also been concerns that the Army unilaterally shut down the plaza, thereby punishing innocent traders, without any recourse to civil authorities.
