Soldiers and members of the Nigeria Police Force have assumed control of the well-known Banex Plaza in the Wuse district of the nation’s capital following a brawl involving traders and soldiers.
A trader, who requested anonymity, verified the incident, stating that the altercation began in the area when three soldiers confronted a trader regarding a phone-related matter.
The individuals involved seemed to have clashed over the phone issue, exacerbating the situation.
The trader, whose shop is situated at the Old Banex complex, mentioned that the phone dealers joined forces and overwhelmed the unidentified soldiers and a civilian.
Police Call For Calm
Concerned about the situation, the FCT Police Command has appealed for calm, advising residents of the nation’s capital to carry out their lawful activities.
FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igweh, issued the call in a statement released by the FCT police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, shortly after the altercation.
Adeh, a Superintendent of Police, stated that security personnel, including the police and troops, were deployed to reinstate law and order.
“Following a reported unrest at Bannex Plaza today being May 18, 2024 at about 01:30 PM, involving some occupants of the plaza, customers and some soldiers, operatives of the FCT police command, swiftly mobilized to scene, assessed situation and restored order.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that one Suleiman Ahmed who had earlier gotten a phone from one Suleiman Ibrahim, a shop owner at New Bannex, went with four soldiers to persuade the seller for replacement upon discovery that the phone is faulty, which met the resistance of the shop owner. This action resulted in a confrontation and squabble with the military personnel. This development led some irate mobs to attack the military personnel which led to an uproar in the environ.
“All parties were invited for questioning, the military personnel have been handed over to their organization for necessary action to be taken,” Adeh said.