After more than a week of closure due to a violent clash between traders and military personnel, the popular Banex Plaza in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja has reopened for business following pressure on the military.
The plaza resumed operations around 2:30 pm on Monday, May 27, after being sealed off by military authorities on May 18.
The altercation erupted when thugs assaulted soldiers who had a dispute with a trader in the plaza.
The confrontation arose after a customer accused the trader of selling a faulty phone and called in the soldiers. Instead of resolving the issue peacefully, the trader allegedly summoned thugs who attacked the soldiers.
The thugs assaulted at least two soldiers and another civilian, prompting the military to storm the plaza and force traders to close their shops immediately.
However, human rights activists, including Femi Falana, SAN, and Civil Society Organisations, criticized the military’s decision to shut down the entire plaza. They argued that while the trader’s actions were condemnable, closing down the entire market was not a viable solution.
Following the pressure from activists and civil society groups, the military eventually reopened the plaza for business.
This decision comes after the army initially announced that the market would remain closed until those responsible for the attacks were apprehended.