Peter Obi Calls For Immediate Reopening Of Banex Plaza

Opposition Leader of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi has called on the Nigerian Army and Federal Government to reopen Banex Plaza immediately.

On Saturday, Obi, in a statement released on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, stated that the closure of Banex Plaza is yet another manifestation of growing tension and intolerance in the country.

An indefinite closure of the business premises is not a wise option,” he said.

Recall that precisely a week ago, traders at Bannex Plaza and two unarmed Army officers had an argument that led to a fight.

A few days later, in response to the incident, the Nigerian Army locked the plaza to find the traders who beat the unarmed officers.

With the Nigerian Army’s decision not forthcoming, Obi urged the government to reopen the plaza so that business activities could continue.

He noted that the civilian-military outburst could not be unconnected with the stressful situation in the country due to economic hardship, insecurity and spiralling poverty.

According to him, our security operatives are already overstretched, deeply upset, and agitated like the rest of the populace.

Obi added that the government and military authorities should be concerned about the growing friction between civilians and security personnel and take the necessary steps to end it.

Meanwhile, the use of force without a court order to lock up businesses remains a violation of human rights law in Nigeria.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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