Ex-Generals Comment on Wike-Navy Clash
By Daniel Ojukwu
Several retired military generals have reacted angrily after Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), clashed with a naval officer at a disputed land in Gaduwa District, Abuja. The confrontation happened recently when Wike tried to access the land, which he claims was illegally taken from the government. The naval officer, Lieutenant Commander A. M. Yerima, refused entry, saying he was acting under orders, and the encounter quickly turned heated, with Wike reportedly telling the officer, “You’re a very big fool.”
The dispute involves a plot of land allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff. Wike says the land was meant for public recreational use, but the former naval chief allegedly took control of it unlawfully. The confrontation drew attention because it involved a high-ranking government official and a serving military officer, raising concerns about respect for military authority and proper procedures in land disputes.
Retired generals criticized Wike’s actions, saying such behavior undermines the discipline and chain of command in the Armed Forces. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, retired Chief of Army Staff, called the incident “a clear and present danger to national security” and urged Wike to apologize publicly to the President, the officer, and the military. Another retired officer, Peter Aro, said Wike should have used legal or administrative channels instead of confronting a uniformed officer directly.
The Ministry of Defence announced an investigation into the incident. A spokesperson said officers acting lawfully would be protected, and the inquiry would clarify what happened. Meanwhile, Wike’s aide defended the minister, explaining that the land was originally allocated for public use and that the former naval chief “got scammed” in dealings over the property.
The incident has sparked debate about how government officials should handle disputes with security personnel, especially when it involves public land and high-ranking military officers.