The Nigerian Army has detained a shop owner, Caleb Onyemaeachi, at the Mambilla Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja, over Saturday’s clash between some soldiers and traders at Banex plaza in the Federal Capital Territory.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
Our correspondent learnt that Onyemaechi was invited by the military authorities over the chaos that ensued on Saturday.
Recall how the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police on Saturday evening reportedly stormed Banex Plaza in Abuja and beat up passersby and security guards.
The assault on civilians was said to be a reprisal for an earlier free-for-all that broke out between four military police personnel and some traders at the popular electronics and telecommunications gadget market earlier on Saturday.
The soldiers’ attacks on civilians and show-of-force by the military police came a few hours after the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennet Igweh, settled the scuffle between the soldiers and the traders at the police command.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that soldiers of the Nigerian Army came back to the plaza on Monday morning to arrest some people whom they claimed were involved in the assault against their officers.
One of the identified people was Enomfon Udofia, a businessman trading at the plaza but always went to Onyemaechi’s shop to pick goods.
However, speaking to pressmen on Tuesday, Caleb’s wife said her husband was detained due to the trading relationship between him and Enomfon.
She noted that the army refused to release her husband and continued to brutalize him without any charges.
She revealed, “My husband is currently being jailed at Mambilla Barracks, Asokoro, and the army authorities did not allow any of his relatives to visit him.
“He called me yesterday that his name was given out to the army, saying he was among those that fought them. He said he told them that he had nothing to do with the situation. He was later asked to come to see them, which he honoured, and since then, they have kept him at Mambilla Barracks in their duty room.
“I just gave birth through surgery and I had to find him through his live location but they didn’t let me see him. They sent me away. Last night he texted me that they tortured him so badly and broke his foot,” she added.
The spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu, could not be reached for comments on Tuesday.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
