The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army to promptly reopen Banex Plaza in Abuja, which has been under military control since the altercation with civilians on Saturday, May 18, 2024.
Comparing the military’s response at Banex Plaza to the reprisal attacks in Okuama community, the House criticized the heavy-handed approach in dealing with civilian matters.
The motion was presented by Honourable Sesi Winghan, who denounced the use of military personnel to handle such situations, citing its inappropriate nature.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army spokesperson, explained that the plaza was closed following the incident on May 18, 2024, to investigate the reported mistreatment of unarmed soldiers by certain individuals at the trade center.
Nwachukwu described the attack on the soldiers as unjustifiable and stated that measures were taken to identify and apprehend the perpetrators by temporarily suspending operations at Banex Plaza. This action aimed to address security concerns posed by criminal elements in the Banex neighborhood.
“The closure facilitates a thorough investigation to determine the immediate and underlying causes of the incident, ensuring the security of the Federal Capital Territory and preventing similar attacks on security personnel,” the statement affirmed.
While condemning the assault on its personnel, the Army advised the public to engage with military and security operatives through official channels to report grievances or misconduct.
