The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended his confrontation with a naval officer over a disputed plot of land in Abuja, describing the incident as a necessary response to what he called “impunity” by a retired military official.
Speaking to journalists ahead of the FCT Executive Council meeting on Thursday, Wike addressed the controversy surrounding his visit to a property located at No. 1946, Gaduwa District, allegedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd). The minister was involved in a heated exchange on Tuesday with Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, a serving naval officer who reportedly blocked access to the site.
Wike accused the retired admiral of deploying active-duty personnel to guard the land, which he said was under investigation for illegal development. He claimed that staff of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had been assaulted while attempting to halt construction on the property.
“How can I sit as a minister when government officials are being attacked and beaten up, officials at the level of directors? And I’ll just sit in my office doing what?” Wike said, defending his decision to personally inspect the site.
The minister criticized the use of military personnel to obstruct lawful enforcement activities, contrasting the situation with how other prominent Nigerians have handled land disputes. “Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former head of state and president, will simply call me. He’ll say, ‘Minister, I have a problem on this land, can you help?’ and I’ll solve it,” Wike said. “General T.Y. Danjuma will do the same. They never sent soldiers to attack anybody. They just call.”
Wike also condemned the alleged behavior of the naval officer on site, who reportedly referred to police officers present as “bloody police.” “Nobody talks like that,” he said. “You say you’re a commissioned officer, to God be the glory, but it is these same government officials you’re beating — the ones who made you what you are.”
Despite the confrontation, Wike emphasized that he holds deep respect for the Nigerian military as an institution. “I have respect for the military, and I’ll continue to respect them. I know what the institution stands for,” he said. “I’m not a fool; I went to school. So anyone trying to suggest I have problems with them is wrong. I have no problem with the military, and I never will. But this is a private matter.”
The incident has sparked a wave of responses. Retired military generals expressed concern over what they described as a “dangerous breach of protocol.” They warned that public confrontations with uniformed personnel could undermine military discipline and the chain of command. Some called for clearer boundaries between civilian enforcement and military presence in civil matters.
In contrast, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) backed Wike’s actions, arguing that no individual—retired or serving—should use military personnel to obstruct lawful government enforcement. The group urged President Bola Tinubu to investigate the matter and ensure that public officials are not intimidated in the course of duty.
Public opinion has been mixed. Some Nigerians criticized Wike’s tone and approach, suggesting that the confrontation could have been handled with more diplomacy. Others defended his assertiveness, viewing it as a necessary stand against elite impunity and misuse of state resources.
Social media platforms were flooded with commentary. While some users praised the naval officer’s restraint, others questioned why active-duty personnel were guarding private property allegedly linked to a retired official.
A prominent International Attorney Asukwo Archibong Mendie, Esq. also weighed in, stating” This Naval Officer was wrong. There is a reason civilian control of the military is important. The law must be followed by both civilians and military officers, including the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd), who is alleged to have had these officers deployed to protect his alleged illegally acquired property. This is a clear example of illegal deployment of the military in civilian affairs. Such actions must stop. I stand with Wike on this.”
The FCT Administration has not yet announced further action regarding the disputed land, but Wike’s remarks and the broader reactions signal a deepening debate over civil-military relations and land governance in Nigeria’s capital.
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