Former Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Lucky Irabor (retired) has intervened in the escalating confrontation between Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and a naval officer over a disputed plot of land in Abuja. The incident, captured in a viral video circulating widely online, has intensified public debate over land administration, abuse of power, and civil–military relations in the nation’s capital.
The clash unfolded earlier in the week when Wike visited the disputed site where the naval officer was reportedly overseeing construction activities allegedly linked to the Nigerian Navy. The minister, visibly angered in the video, accused the officer and the Navy of encroaching on FCT-administered land without approval. The naval officer, however, maintained that the land belonged to the service, creating a heated standoff that drew immediate public attention.
Irabor’s intervention followed widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing concern over what they described as a growing pattern of friction between federal ministries and the armed forces. His involvement, according to sources familiar with the matter, is aimed at de-escalating tensions and opening communication channels between the minister and military authorities to prevent further institutional embarrassment.
The retired general, who previously oversaw complex military–civilian coordination during his service, is said to have reached out to both parties privately, stressing the need for restraint, professionalism and lawful dispute resolution. Analysts say his voice carries weight, given his reputation for conflict management and his influence within security circles.
Public response to the incident has been deeply polarized. Supporters of Wike argue that the minister has a constitutional mandate to safeguard Abuja’s land administration and enforce urban planning laws, even against military establishments. They insist that unauthorized developments whether by civilians or uniformed personnel must be stopped to bring order to the territory.
Critics, however, question Wike’s approach, describing his confrontation with the naval officer as unnecessarily aggressive and a threat to healthy civil–military relations. Many social media users argued that land disputes involving the military should be handled institutionally, not through public confrontations that risk undermining discipline and operational hierarchy.
The Nigerian Navy has not issued a formal statement addressing the confrontation, though internal sources indicate that senior officers are reviewing the matter to determine the legitimacy of the land claim and assess the conduct of the officer involved. The FCT Administration, on its part, has maintained that it will continue enforcing land-use regulations regardless of the status of violators.
Irabor’s latest move has drawn cautious optimism from Nigerians who hope his involvement will lead to a quiet resolution of the issue. Security analysts say his intervention also underscores the delicate balance required when military institutions interact with civilian political authorities, especially in volatile matters like land disputes in the FCT.
Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on both the FCT ministry and the Navy to clarify ownership of the contentious plot. Legal experts note that Abuja’s land laws are unambiguous, but poor documentation, overlapping claims and historical allocations to military units often complicate enforcement.
As the controversy continues to dominate national discourse, the viral video featuring Wike confronting the naval officer remains a focal point of public scrutiny. Many Nigerians say the incident reflects deeper governance gaps within the FCT, while others see it as a test of institutional boundaries in a democratic system.
For now, the nation watches closely as Irabor attempts to steer both sides toward a peaceful settlement, hoping his intervention signals a turning point in a dispute that has exposed yet another layer of tension in the management of Nigeria’s capital city.
