Banex Plaza, a major electronics and telecommunications market in Abuja, remains closed, Daily Trust reports.
During a visit on Monday morning, our correspondent observed soldiers stationed throughout the plaza.
Traders gathered at a distance but dispersed after waiting for hours. None agreed to speak with our correspondent, but their concerns about the financial impact of the closure on a crucial business day were overheard.
The incident began when thugs assaulted soldiers over a dispute with a trader who had sold a defective phone. The customer, who had involved soldiers to resolve the issue, was met with violence instead. The trader called thugs who attacked at least two soldiers and another individual in plain clothes, slapping, kicking, and beating them.
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Although the police intervened initially, soldiers later returned, prompting an immediate closure of the market by the traders.
Videos on social media depict soldiers chasing and punishing people in the plaza.
When Daily Trust’s correspondent returned on Monday morning, military vehicles were positioned at various points around the plaza, and troops were seen patrolling in their vans.
The army has not commented on the situation, and Onyema Nwachukwu has yet to make an official statement at the time of this report.
