Banex Plaza, an electronics and telecommunications gadget market located along the Aminu Kano Cres, Wuse 2, Abuja, is deserted as traders locked their shop over the take over of the area by soldiers.
As of Monday afternoon, soldiers were still in charge of the sprawling plaza, three days after a clash between soldiers and some traders at the market arising from disagreement over a transaction that went sour.
Trouble started when a trader had reportedly sold a bad phone to someone who then invited soldiers. The trader reportedly on his own invited some hoodlums who assaulted the two soldiers and a civilian, descending on them, causing a free-for-all clash.
A viral video on X showed some civilians overpowering some soldiers during the clash.
The The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, in a statement by its Spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, later on Saturday night, said the Police had restored peace in the affected area, adding that a buyer had gone with four soldiers to demand a refund, after the purchased phone developed faults, which the shop owner resisted.
“This action resulted in a confrontation and squabble with the military personnel. This development led some irate mobs to attack the military personnel which led to an uproar in the environs,” the statement read.
But in reprisal, some group of soldiers later stormed the plaza on Saturday evening, forcing traders to shut down as they beat passersby and manning guards, while a circulating video also showed the soldiers chasing a crowd of people and punishing some individuals.
Nigerian Army patrol vans have been stationed at the entrance of the plaza while patrol vehicles were conducting patrols across the area.
As of Monday afternoon, a trader confirmed that the shops are still shut as the soldiers have refused anyone entry.
According to a trader: “Yes, we are not open. Following last Saturday’s clash, the Nigerian Army came later that evening and locked down the Plaza. If you come to the Plaza, you will see that at each gate of Banex now, there is a Hilux vehicle, Army Hilux. The soldiers are not smiling.
“They won’t even let you cross the place. And they don’t even care that the livelihoods of families are in jeopardy. But we hope that tomorrow or next, the place will open. Nobody knows. Our leaders are holding meetings with them (soldiers).”