A heated confrontation broke out on Tuesday between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a yet-to-be-identified military officer over an alleged land grab in the Gaduwa district of Abuja.
A video circulating online shows Wike accusing the officer of illegally taking possession of a parcel of land reportedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff. The minister questioned why military personnel should assume control of land based on the status of a past service chief.
“Because you are an officer? Nobody does that,” Wike said during the exchange.
The officer, dressed in full military uniform, insisted that the land acquisition followed due process, arguing that he acted lawfully and with integrity. His response appeared to further agitate the minister.
“I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally,” he said.
Wike, visibly angered, told the officer to keep quiet, leading to a sharp verbal exchange. The officer refused and stood his ground, prompting the minister to call him “a very big fool,” adding that the officer was still “in primary school” at the time he graduated.
The officer maintained that he was posted to the site under official orders and challenged the minister’s claims.
As of the time of this report, neither the Nigerian military nor the Federal Capital Territory Administration has issued a statement regarding the incident.
Abuja has long struggled with land disputes, unauthorised acquisitions, and encroachment on government layouts. Since taking office in August 2023, Wike has intensified demolition drives and enforcement actions, vowing to reclaim the original Abuja Master Plan.
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