From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command said it has restored peace at the Banex Plaza, in Abuja, after an attack on soldiers by traders at the shopping mall.
Some soldiers of the Nigerian Army were said to have been attacked by shop owners and some traders following a disagreement over a faulty mobile phone purchased by one of them, which he returned.
The FCT police command Public Relations Officer Josephine Adeh, who made the disclosure in a statement, urged members of the public to go about their lawful business without fear of being harassed.
Adeh stated: “Following a reported unrest at Banex Plaza, today, being May 18, 2024, at about 01:30pm, involving some occupants of the plaza, customers and some soldiers, operatives of the FCT police command, swiftly mobilised to the scene, assessed situation and restored order.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that one Suleiman Ahmed, who had earlier got a phone from one Suleiman Ibrahim, a shop owner at New Bannex, went with four soldiers to persuade the seller for replacement upon discovery that the phone is faulty, which met the resistance of the shop owner. This action resulted in a confrontation and squabble with the military personnel.
The development led some irate mobs to attack the military personnel, which led to an uproar in the environment.
“All parties were invited for questioning; the military personnel have been handed over to their organisation for necessary action to be taken. While normalcy has since been restored in Bannex and its environs, the Commissioner of Police FCT, Benneth Igweh, urges residents to peacefully go about their lawful businesses without fear from any quarters.”