The Nigeria Army have shut down Banex Plaza, a popular electronics and mobile gadgets shopping complex in Abuja following attacks on some soldiers over the weekend.
Politics Nigeria reports that the FCT Police Command deployed officers of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to the area after a conflict ensued between traders and some soldiers on Saturday.
A trader at the nearby Emab Plaza who simply identified himself as Somto confirmed the closure of the complex on Monday.
“Yes, Banex is locked down. We are not affected by it though. Some men of the Army are here”, he said.
Other shop owners who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, also confirmed the development, adding that traders are still in talks with the military.
“No, we are not open. You know because of the issue that happened, the Army has locked down the place. At each gate of Banex now, there is a Hilux vehicle, Army Hilux. They won’t even let you cross the place,” one of the sources said.
“But maybe between tomorrow and next, it will be open, we don’t know. We are still on it, having meetings with them,” he said.
The FCT Police Command had, in a statement by its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh on Saturday night, said the police had restored peace in the affected area.
She said a buyer had gone with four soldiers to demand a refund, after the purchased phone developed faults, which the shop owner resisted.
The 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.
