Banex Plaza incident in Abuja: Woman in coma after alleged soldier's assault sparks outrage. Tensions escalate between military and traders over dispute, resulting in the plaza closure. Nigerian Army is silent. Social media footage amplifies concerns over excessive force.
In a harrowing turn of events at Banex Plaza, Abuja, an unidentified woman lies in a coma after allegedly being assaulted by a soldier. The soldier, part of the security detail deployed to the plaza, purportedly lashed out at the woman when she inadvertently trespassed on a barricaded road, triggering a confrontation.
Eyewitnesses recount a scene of chaos and brutality as tensions flared between military personnel and traders at the bustling commercial hub. The plaza, renowned for its array of electronic gadgets and accessories, became a battleground as clashes erupted between soldiers and traders following a dispute over a faulty phone.
According to reports, the trouble began when a trader refused to refund a young man for a defective purchase, prompting him to summon soldiers for assistance. In a disturbing escalation, the soldiers allegedly resorted to violence, assaulting the traders and forcing the plaza's closure.
Amidst the commotion, the focus shifted to the plight of the woman who bore the brunt of the soldier's fury. Witnesses describe the moment when the soldier, in a fit of rage, struck the woman, causing her to collapse unconscious. She was hastily bundled into a van and whisked away from the scene, her fate uncertain as she was rushed off to an unknown destination.
Meanwhile, the fallout from the incident continues to reverberate throughout the community, with traders left reeling from the aftermath of the altercation and the abrupt closure of the plaza. Videos circulating on social media depict scenes of pandemonium as soldiers pursue and punish individuals in the vicinity, heightening concerns over the excessive use of force and the lack of accountability.
Despite calls for clarification and action, the Nigerian Army has maintained a conspicuous silence on the matter, leaving many questions unanswered and fueling speculation about the military's role in the incident.
