A dramatic confrontation erupted in Abuja on Monday when soldiers prevented the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, from accessing a disputed piece of land at Gaduwa District.
The incident, which has since gone viral across social media platforms, shows Wike engaged in a heated argument with a naval officer identified as Lieutenant A.M. Yerima. The officer reportedly stopped Wike’s inspection team from entering the site, insisting the land belonged to a retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (Rtd).
In the viral video, Wike can be seen visibly angered by the officer’s defiance, questioning why military personnel were occupying government land without authorization. “You can’t claim federal land without approval,” Wike said, demanding that the officer identify his superior.
Despite repeated explanations from Yerima that he was acting on the instructions of his superiors, the FCT minister stood his ground, vowing to reclaim the property for the government. “We will not allow impunity. Whether retired or serving, nobody is above the law,” Wike declared.
The confrontation quickly drew a crowd and triggered online debates about the balance of power between civil authorities and the military. Many Nigerians applauded Wike’s courage to challenge what they see as systemic abuse of public property by retired officials, while others criticized the public outburst as unnecessary.
Sources close to the FCTA confirmed that the land in question Plot 1946 in Gaduwa District had been marked as part of an ongoing demolition and recovery operation targeting illegal developments across Abuja. Wike, who has intensified enforcement since assuming office, was on a routine inspection when the incident occurred.
The Nigerian Navy has yet to issue an official statement as of press time, but security analysts suggest the clash exposes deeper issues surrounding land allocation, military influence, and the limits of ministerial authority in the capital.
Meanwhile, the confrontation has dominated online discussions, with hashtags like #WikeVsNavy and #AbujaLandTussle trending on X (formerly Twitter). Many users praised Wike’s firmness, calling him “the only minister not afraid to confront corruption head-on.”
Wike’s tenure as FCT Minister has been marked by high-profile demolitions and a strict stance against unauthorized land use. This latest altercation underscores his no-nonsense approach and sets the stage for what could become one of his most defining battles yet a fight over who truly controls Abuja’s prime lands.
Comments
Post a Comment