The Nigerian Army has announced the temporary shutdown of Banex Shopping Complex, in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja pending the identification and arrest of the civilians who brutalised its personnel.
NewsNGR reported how some traders at the Banex plaza brutalised unarmed military personnel over a faulty phone issue, that snowballed into a free-for-all fight on Saturday.
The Army in a statement on Tuesday said the attacker of the personnel has yet to be identified, and it would be in the best interest of the shopping complex and its environment that the incident be investigated before reopening.
This development confirmed earlier reports by THE WHISTLER, revealing that the military shutting down the complex was aimed at identifying and arresting the culprits and would maintain the status quo until they were found.
The Army said, “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.
“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 neighbourhood 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 Army noted that it 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.”
The Army further enjoined, 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,” it said.