One of the military officers stationed at the famed Banex marketplace in Abuja’s Wuse 2 district has put a lady in a coma.
Platinum Times had earlier reported that the plaza has been under lock and key for four days after thugs beat up three troops who disagreed with a trader.
Our correspondent had gone to the area to monitor update when soldiers accosted the lady who crossed a barricade at the plaza.
The lady was trekking on the barricaded road when she was stopped by soldiers.
After asking her some questions, one of them slapped her heavily and she collapsed.
Our correspondent at the scene witnessed how she was rushed into a van which sped off the scene.
It is unclear if she was being taken to the hospital for medical attention.
Meanwhile, traders have been counting their losses over the military action, which they said could have been resolved without the lockdown.
Our correspondent who visited the market on Tuesday afternoon found soldiers across the plaza.
Lamenting the situation, Chibuzor Ike, a phone repairer at the plaza, i said: “I am already counting losses. It doesn’t seem like they will leave anytime soon. We are pleading for the reopening of the place for business.”
Trouble started when thugs beat up some soldiers who had a disagreement with a trader in the plaza.
The trader had reportedly sold a bad phone to someone who invited soldiers. Rather than resolve the issue amicably, the trader reportedly invited thugs who assaulted the uniform men.
They descended on at least two soldiers and another man in mufti. The thugs who broke into groups slapped, kicked and beat up the soldiers.
Although the police stepped in to resolve the situation, soldiers later stormed the plaza, forcing traders to shut down immediately.
Some videos on social media showed soldiers chasing a crowd of people and punishing a few others.
The army has been silent on the action at the plaza as Onyema Nwachukwu has not made an official comment as of the time of filing this report.