Popular shopping complex in Abuja, Banex plaza, an electronics and telecommunications gadget market in the city, is still under lock and key, following the reported assault on some members of the military that happened there over the weekend. Reporters who visited the scene noted the heavy presence of military personnel across the plaza.
Some traders who had come around in hopes of getting back to business as usual were no more than mere spectators as they assembled at a distance from the plaza and were seen leaving after waiting for hours.
The trouble is reportedly a result of an assault on two military men who had gone to the complex to lodge a complaint about an accomplice of theirs who allegedly bought a phone he later realized was bad. Rather than resolve the issue amicably, the trader reportedly invited thugs who assaulted the uniformed men and another man clad in mufti.
Amateur, viral social media videos appeared to show the thugs breaking into groups, slapping and kicking the soldiers. An attempt to break up the fisticuff by operatives of the Nigeria police force in the area did not yield any meaningful result. The soldiers, after managing to rescue themselves, then returned with reinforcements to the scene forcing the closure of all commercial activities in the complex.
The army is yet to make statement over the incident.
