Wike, officer clash over land dispute
By Abel Ayodele
Not fewer than six military officers and officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) were involved in a heated confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over a disputed plot of land in Gaduwa District, Abuja, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
The clash occurred when the minister led a team of Federal Capital Territory Administration officials to stop what he described as an illegal construction on government land. According to reports, Wike arrived at Plot 1946, Gaduwa, alongside the FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, and the Director of Development Control to enforce a stop-work order.
However, soldiers allegedly guarding the site stopped the team from entering, insisting they were acting on the orders of a senior military officer. This led to a heated exchange between Wike and one of the officers, identified as Lt. A. M. Yerima, who claimed to be acting on instructions from a three-star general.
Eyewitnesses said Wike confronted the officers, accusing them of protecting illegal developers and using military uniforms to intimidate government officials. In a viral video from the scene, the minister was heard shouting, “Shut up! Keep quiet, you are a fool. Who gave you the order to intimidate the government?” The soldiers refused to back down, insisting they had their directives, leading to a brief scuffle before calm was restored.
Wike told journalists after the incident that the land in question had no valid title documents or building approval. He said the Federal Capital Territory Administration would not allow any group, no matter how powerful, to take over public land. “We cannot continue with impunity. We cannot allow people to use the military to intimidate government officials,” he said.
Sources within the Federal Capital Territory Administration said the disputed land is a buffer zone and not approved for private development. The minister reportedly ordered that all work at the site should stop immediately pending further investigation.
Reports also linked the land to a former Chief of Naval Staff, retired Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, though he has yet to make any public comment on the matter. Federal Capital Territory Administration officials said the case has been forwarded to the office of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff for clarification.
The confrontation has sparked nationwide reactions, with some Nigerians praising Wike for defending the rule of law, while others criticised his confrontational approach. Former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka warned that such direct confrontations with military personnel could undermine institutional order.
The Nigerian Armed Forces have not released an official statement as of Wednesday, November 12, 2025, but sources said an internal inquiry may be launched to determine whether the soldiers involved acted within their mandate.
TheFederal Capital Territory Administration has maintained that no one is above the law and vowed to continue its campaign against illegal land development in the Federal Capital Territory.