A military personnel stationed at the Banex Plaza in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja has reportedly assaulted a woman, causing her to fall into a coma. The incident, which occurred amidst heightened tensions following a confrontation between soldiers and traders, has led to the plaza being closed for four days, resulting in significant losses for local businesses.
According to Daily Trust, the incident unfolded when a lady crossed a barricade at the plaza and was stopped by soldiers. After a brief exchange, one of the soldiers slapped her heavily, causing her to collapse. Witnesses, including a Daily Trust correspondent, saw the unconscious woman being rushed into a van that quickly left the scene. It is unclear whether she was taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
The closure of Banex Plaza, a bustling commercial hub, has severely impacted traders. Chibuzor Ike, a phone repairer, expressed his frustration, saying, “I am already counting losses. It doesn’t seem like they will leave anytime soon. We are pleading for the reopening of the place for business.”
The initial conflict arose when thugs attacked soldiers following a dispute between a trader and a customer over a faulty phone. The trader reportedly called thugs to assault the soldiers who had been summoned by the customer. Videos circulating on social media depict soldiers chasing people and administering punishments to some individuals.
Despite police intervention to resolve the altercation, the military’s subsequent actions led to the immediate shutdown of the plaza. Soldiers have maintained a strong presence in the area, causing ongoing disruptions to business activities.
As of now, the military has not issued an official statement regarding the incident at Banex Plaza. Onyema Nwachukwu, the army’s spokesperson, has yet to comment on the situation.
