Nigerian Army Investigates Attack On Personnel at Banex Plaza Abuja, Says Personnel Were Unarmed, Unagressive

The Nigerian Army has emphasised that it will ensure that it diligently investigates the circumstances surrounding the presence of the personnel at at Banex Plaza in Wuse, Abuja, on Saturday 18 May 2024 and the attack that ensued on its personnel that were unarmed and did not engage in any form of aggression. 

The Army Headquarters in a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu stated that the soldiers attacked in the recent unrest at Banex Plaza posed no threat to anyone and expressed dismay at the cruel treatment meted out to them, which it described as entirely unwarranted and unjustifiable. 

In a reaction to the unfortunate incident, the statement by the Army Headquarters said following the unrest by yet to be identified hoodlums who launched a brutal attack on it's personnel, a swift intervention by soldiers and policemen on internal security duties salvaged the situation and rescued the attacked personnel from being lynched by the hoodlums.

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 neighborhood as a sanctuary to pose a security threat to the Federal Capital Territory were apprehended. 

This the Army said 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. 

The investigation according to the statement 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.

It has taken a firm stand that 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.

Accordingly, the Nigerian Army enjoins members of the public to exercise caution and restraint in dealing with military personnel and other security operatives, especially when they are in uniform. 

It says there are established channels through which grievances or misconduct by personnel could be reported to the appropriate authorities and it is imperative that these channels are utilized to maintain order and respect for those who serve and protect our nation.