FCT MINISTER WIKES ENGAGES IN HEATED CONFRONTATION WITH NAVAL OFFICERS OVER DISPUTED LAND (VIDEO)

Drama unfolded in Abuja on Tuesday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, engaged in a fiery confrontation with a group of Naval officers during an inspection of disputed land in the Gaduwa District.

The face-off, captured in a viral video, showed Wike angrily challenging military personnel allegedly deployed to prevent FCT officials from carrying out a demolition exercise on the contested site. The minister demanded documents to justify the soldiers’ presence, insisting that no one is above the law. “Show me the document you have. You have no document,” Wike said.

A naval officer leading the troops responded that they were acting on “orders” and possessed relevant documents. Wike retorted, “I am the minister. You cannot tell me that. We cannot continue with this kind of impunity. You cannot use soldiers to intimidate government officials doing their job. This country cannot continue this way.”

The visibly angered minister accused the officers of obstructing lawful government activity and using uniforms to shield illegal structures. “Even if you are a lieutenant general or vice admiral, it means nothing. The government must function according to law,” he stated. The confrontation escalated when a member of Wike’s entourage accused the naval officer of lying about forwarding land documents, provoking outrage among the armed officers.

Plainclothes security and police personnel shielded the minister from the agitated naval officers. At one point, Wike alleged that the officers’ actions could have endangered lives, citing a conversation with the Chief of Defence Staff. “If not for the Chief of Defence Staff who just spoke to me, you could have killed everybody here,” he said.

The naval officer insisted the land was legally acquired, leading Wike to shout, “Will you stop that? Will you stop that?” When the officer asserted his integrity, Wike responded sharply, “Shut up your mouth! Who does that? Will you get out? When I was in school, you had not even resumed school. Will you keep quiet? You are a big fool!”

The officer repeatedly countered, “I am not a fool, sir. I am acting on instructions, and I am a commissioned officer.”

The officers were reportedly acting on orders from retired Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, former Chief of Naval Staff, to prevent access to plot 1946, Buffer Transit Southern Park Way. Wike later confirmed that the land owner had no legal documents or approvals and condemned the use of military influence for intimidation. He reaffirmed that FCTA officials would enforce urban regulations in Gaduwa, describing the incident as an attempt to seize land illegally.

Wike said he contacted the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Naval Staff, who assured resolution without violence, and vowed that enforcement of land laws would continue against illegal developments.