Banex Plaza: Treatment meted out to soldiers unwarranted

Add as a preferred source

The Nigerian Army has strongly condemned the brutal assault on its unarmed soldiers during a recent incident at Banex Plaza in Wuse, Abuja.

Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, issued a press statement on Monday addressing the unwarranted and unjustifiable treatment suffered by the soldiers.

The statement outlined the details of the attack, which involved unidentified hoodlums targeting Nigerian Army personnel engaged in internal security duties in the area on Saturday.

“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,” Nwachukwu stated.

In response to this, Nwachukwu said it was agreed that activities in the plaza be temporarily shut down to ensure that the hoodlums who had been using the Banex neighbourhood as a sanctuary to pose a security threat to the Federal Capital Territory were apprehended.

He said that 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.

According to Nwachukwu, “There is a need for an 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 our personnel and other security operatives, as has been observed in other areas, such as the unfortunate attack in Okuama,” he said.

Nwachukwu said the Nigerian army would also ensure that it diligently investigated the circumstances surrounding the presence of the personnel at the plaza and the attack that ensued.

He said that such acts of violence against personnel were not only condemnable but could degenerate into a breakdown of law and order, orchestrating threats to national security.

He 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.

According to him, 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 utilised to maintain order and respect for those who serve and protect our nation,” he added.

SEE THE POST BELOW:

UPDATE ON THE CLOSURE OF BANEX PLAZA, ABUJA

Following the recent unrest at Banex Plaza in Wuse, Abuja, on Saturday 18 May 2024, by yet to be identified hoodlums who launched a brutal attack on some Nigerian Army personnel, a swift intervention by soldiers and policemen on… pic.twitter.com/yQPfxXzAhz

— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) May 21, 2024