ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — A heated confrontation between Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and Navy Lieutenant A.M. Yerima over a disputed plot of land in Abuja has sparked sharp public debate, with Nigerians divided over whether the minister or the officer acted lawfully. The incident has also drawn strong reactions from legal experts, including Prof. Sebastine Hon, and political figures like Chief Joe Igbokwe.
The clash occurred Tuesday at Plot 1946, Gaduwa District, where Wike and officials attempted to enforce a stop-work order due to missing title documents. Video footage widely circulated on social media shows Wike being blocked by uniformed personnel and exchanging heated words with Lt. Yerima, who claimed to be obeying superior orders. Wike’s aide, Anthony Olayinka, revealed that the minister had contacted the Chief of Defense Staff before arriving and even handed his phone to the officer. ‘There was no sign that he was talking to the CDS,’ Olayinka said, describing Lt. Yerima’s behavior as ‘unruly.’
Constitutional law expert Prof. Sebastine Hon condemned Lt. Yerima’s actions, calling them a breach of the law. In a Facebook post, Hon wrote: ‘Brushing sentiments aside, I hereby condemn in totality the actions of the Naval Officer, A.M. Yerima, who obstructed the FCT Minister from gaining access into that parcel of land, under the guise of “obeying superior orders.”’ He argued that military personnel are not bound to obey illegal or manifestly unjust commands, citing Supreme Court rulings in Onunze v. State and Nigeria Air Force v. James.
Hon added: ‘No service law of the military permits a serving military officer to mount guard at the private construction site of his boss, especially under suspicious circumstances like this.’ He emphasized that if security concerns existed, ‘the retired Naval Officer ought, under the circumstances, to have engaged the civil police.’ He further stated: ‘By Section 302 of the same Constitution, the President of Nigeria has delegated all powers with respect to land administration in the FCT Abuja to the minister.’
‘Consequently, even if the superior officer were still in service, he would not disobey Mr Wike or obstruct him from entering the land. This was an affront to the civil authority of Mr President,’ Hon said. While acknowledging Wike’s method may be brash, Hon concluded: ‘Rather, it is the officer who obstructed him that has breached not just the Nigerian Constitution, but also service and extant regulatory laws.’ He warned: ‘If such intolerable conduct by the young officer is not punished or is celebrated, this may unleash a reign of terror by the men in khaki against hapless civilians — with a grin or boast that “we did it to Wike and nothing happened.”’
Chief Joe Igbokwe, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also weighed in on Facebook, writing: ‘Who is this man in uniform? Of what meat is he fed? Who is beating the drum for him? This is unacceptable. His uniform has to be removed.’ His remarks added fuel to the debate, with many interpreting them as a call for court-martial or dismissal.
Public reactions have been sharply divided. Supporters of Wike argue that he was enforcing the law and confronting military-backed land grabbing. One user posted: ‘This is how impunity starts. Wike is right to stand his ground.’ Another wrote: ‘The military should not be involved in land disputes. This is a clear abuse of power.’ Hashtags like #WikeVsMilitary, #LandJustice, and #CivilAuthority trended across platforms.
Others defended Lt. Yerima, praising his calm demeanor and accusing Wike of arrogance. A popular comment on X read: ‘The officer showed discipline. Wike was the one shouting like a market tout.’ Another user added: ‘Wike needs to learn how to speak to uniformed men. Respect is mutual.’ These reactions were accompanied by hashtags such as #SupportYerima, #MilitaryRespect, and #WikeOverstepped.
The Nigerian Navy has declined to comment on the incident. When contacted by reporters, Navy spokesperson A. Adams-Aliyu said, ‘No reply for now,’ fueling speculation about internal handling of the matter. The silence has raised questions about whether disciplinary action or internal review is underway.
The disputed plot is reportedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd), raising further concerns about influence and accountability. The presence of military personnel at a private site has led many to question whether the land was being protected for personal interests.
As calls grow for a formal investigation, the incident has reignited debate over the role of military personnel in non-security matters and the limits of civil authority. Legal experts, civil society groups, and political commentators continue to weigh in, making this confrontation a flashpoint in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to balance democratic governance with institutional discipline.
