Banex Plaza, a prominent shopping center in Wuse 2, Abuja, has been closed off by the Nigerian Army after an incident involving military personnel over the weekend.
A local trader from Emab Plaza confirmed the shutdown on Monday, noting that while their business was not impacted, military presence was evident in the area.
An anonymous owner of an Apple product outlet at Banex also verified the closure, mentioning ongoing discussions with the military authorities regarding the situation.
The plaza is currently under strict surveillance, with military vehicles stationed at each entrance, restricting access to the premises.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command had dispatched its Intelligence Response Team to the scene following a clash between soldiers and traders.
A widely circulated video depicted a group of civilians clashing with soldiers at Banex, leading to a significant disturbance.
The FCT Police Command, through its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, announced that order had been restored.
The conflict reportedly began when a customer, accompanied by soldiers, sought a refund for a faulty phone, which the seller refused, escalating tensions and resulting in a physical altercation.
In response, army personnel returned to the plaza later that evening, where they were seen in another video enforcing punitive measures on some individuals. Discussions are ongoing, and there is hope that the plaza may reopen in the coming days.
