Banex Plaza Shut as Soldiers’ Operation Continues the 3rd Day

Nigeria News 247 confirmed that Banex Plaza, a marketplace for electronics and telecommunications devices in Abuja, remains closed today.

On Monday morning, our reporter observed soldiers stationed throughout the market square. A group of traders, who had gathered some distance away from the plaza, were seen departing after waiting for several hours.

They declined to comment to our reporters but were overheard expressing frustration over the financial impact of the plaza being closed on such an important day as Monday.

The unrest began when thugs assaulted some soldiers following a minor altercation between a soldier and a trader in the plaza.

According to reports, a merchant allegedly sold a faulty phone to an individual who then called in soldiers. Instead of settling the matter peacefully, the merchant is said to have summoned thugs who attacked the military personnel.

These thugs targeted at least two soldiers and one civilian, assaulting them with slaps, kicks, and beatings. Despite police intervention to defuse the situation, soldiers later raided the plaza, compelling traders to close their shops without delay.

Several social media videos depicted soldiers pursuing a group of individuals and disciplining a few. On Monday morning, a correspondent from Nigeria News 247 observed military vehicles positioned at various locations around the plaza.

Additionally, troops were seen patrolling the Wuse 2 plaza in Abuja in their vans. The army has not issued any statements regarding the incident at the plaza, as Onyema Nwachukwu has not provided an official comment by the time this report was submitted.