There was palpable tension in Gaduwa village, Abuja, on Tuesday when soldiers blocked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and officials of the FCT Administration from accessing a disputed piece of land reportedly owned by former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd.).
The confrontation occurred at Plot 1946, where Wike questioned the legitimacy of the property’s development, accusing the former naval chief of building on the land without approval or valid documentation from the FCT Administration.
“Show me the documents. You have no documents. We cannot continue with this impunity. Where is the approval given to you?” Wike demanded during the altercation.
He also expressed disapproval of the military’s involvement, saying, “How can that man at his level, if he has a problem, he cannot reach me to say, ‘I’m sorry, sir, see what I have’? You send soldiers, to intimidate who? We are all from this country. You cannot be higher than the government!”
Responding, a senior army officer on site, A. M. Yerima, denied any attempt to intimidate FCTA officials, insisting that the land was being developed with proper approvals.
“On the contrary, sir, we are not trying to intimidate anybody. The men mobilised on site, and then staff or workers of the FCDA came and were disturbing them. That was when the Admiral gave the order. Because the papers are complete and he said he submitted them,” Yerima stated.
The situation escalated when Wike declared that the military would “never develop this land,” prompting Yerima to insist that he was merely following orders. The heated exchange continued until Wike told the officer to “shut up,” to which Yerima replied, “I will not shut up.”
“You are a very big fool,” Wike retorted, pointing at him. “As of the time I graduated, you were still in primary school. You must kill everybody here!”
“I won’t kill anybody!” the soldier fired back, leading Wike to dismiss him from the scene.
Speaking to journalists afterward, the minister said he had contacted the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff over the matter, stressing that the FCTA would not tolerate illegal developments or land grabbing.
“I’ve spoken to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff and they have assured me that they have to resolve the matter… He will not carry out this illegal deployment and land grabbing simply because he was a former Chief of Naval Staff. I would not allow that,” Wike said.
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Veterans Condemn Wike’s Conduct
Following the incident, the Coalition of Military Veterans criticised Wike’s behaviour, describing his verbal attack on the officer as unbecoming of a public official.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, the group said, “How can a public office holder call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera? If he was responsible, he should have engaged the Chief of Naval Staff privately rather than attempting to disgrace a retired senior officer.”
The veterans warned that any disciplinary action against the officer would be resisted, noting that military personnel serve the nation, not individuals.
“If for any reason the officer is punished, military veterans will occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister,” the group warned, demanding an apology from Wike for “demeaning the dignity of his office.”
FCTA Aide Responds
Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Lere Olayinka, however, countered the claims, alleging that the soldiers had threatened to shoot FCTA officials.
He wrote on his official X account that the disputed property lacked title documents and building approval, accusing the former naval chief of sending armed men to obstruct FCTA’s Department of Development Control.
“Because he was told to stop building on a land he has no title document and building approval, former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, sent his armed military security details to attack men of the FCTA Department of Development Control,” Olayinka alleged.
As of press time, the military had yet to issue an official response to the confrontation.
Tuesday’s incident follows a series of enforcement drives by Wike’s administration, including the recent demolition of 11 illegal duplexes built by the Nigeria Police Force in Apo District.
Since assuming office in August 2023, the FCT Minister has intensified crackdowns on unlawful land acquisitions, encroachments, and unapproved developments in a bid to restore Abuja’s master plan.
