The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has confirmed that military personnel involved in a clash with customers at New Banex Plaza in Abuja on Saturday have been handed over to the Nigerian Army for disciplinary measures.

In a statement, FCT Police Public Relations Officer SP Josephine Adeh announced that the police had addressed the situation and restored order. The incident escalated when soldiers from the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police reportedly assaulted passersby and security guards at Banex Plaza. This attack was a reprisal for an earlier altercation between four military police personnel and some traders at the popular electronics market.

The confrontation occurred after Suleiman Ahmed, who had purchased a faulty phone from shop owner Suleiman Ibrahim, returned with four soldiers to demand a replacement, leading to a scuffle that drew an angry mob.

SP Adeh stated, “Following a reported unrest at Banex Plaza on May 18, 2024, at about 1:30 PM, involving some occupants of the plaza, customers, and some soldiers, operatives of the FCT police command swiftly mobilized to the scene, assessed the situation, and restored order. Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident began with a confrontation between Suleiman Ahmed and shop owner Suleiman Ibrahim, resulting in a physical altercation involving the military personnel.”

She added, “All parties involved were invited for questioning, and the military personnel have been handed over to their organization for necessary action. Normalcy has since been restored at Banex Plaza and its environs. Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth Igweh, urges residents to continue their lawful activities without fear.”