CurrentReport Blog In a significant development, the House of Representatives has urged the Nigerian Army to reopen Banex Plaza in Abuja, following an incident that led to its abrupt closure. The popular market was shut down by the military on Tuesday after an army officer was reportedly mobbed by a group of individuals.
The closure of Banex Plaza, a bustling commercial hub, has caused significant disruption and drawn widespread attention. Addressing this pressing issue, Whingan Olusesan, a representative from Lagos State, brought forward a motion on Thursday advocating for the immediate reopening of the market.
Olusesan provided a detailed account of the events leading to the mob action, which precipitated the military’s decision to shut down the plaza. He criticized the military’s handling of the situation, suggesting that their response was disproportionate and calling for improved crisis management strategies. In his speech, Olusesan emphasized the importance of adopting “surveillance technology” to prevent such incidents from escalating in the future.
The motion received overwhelming support from the lawmakers. When put to a vote by the Deputy Speaker, Ben Kalu, it was adopted, signaling a unified call for the reopening of Banex Plaza and a return to normalcy for the affected businesses and shoppers.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in managing public order and the need for balanced responses that protect both security personnel and civilian interests. The House’s call for the use of advanced surveillance technology suggests a forward-looking approach to crisis management, aiming to prevent future occurrences of similar incidents.
