FCT Minister Nyesom Wike faced off with armed soldiers on Tuesday at a disputed Gaduwa property tied to a former Naval Chief.
Wike expressed outrage that FCT Development Control officials had been chased away by soldiers while enforcing a stop-work order. Led by Naval Lt. A. M. Yarima, the troops blocked access and physically prevented the minister from entering. As his convoy approached, uniformed soldiers stood firm, citing “orders from above.”
“Who gave you the order?” Wike demanded, stepping out of his vehicle. Yarima refused to back down, and the tense standoff ended with Wike leaving in anger.
The minister condemned the use of soldiers to intimidate officials, questioning how someone who once held high office could bypass lawful channels. “I am not one to succumb to blackmail or intimidation,” he said. “How can we allow lawlessness to prevail? What about those without military protection?”
Development control officials had requested land documents and approvals, but none were provided. Wike stressed that attempts to frustrate government enforcement would not be tolerated and said he had already spoken with the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Naval Staff, who promised to resolve the matter amicably.
This development comes amid the FCT Administration’s intensified efforts against land racketeering and illegal developments, with several high-profile properties recently demolished for violating planning regulations.
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