A tense confrontation broke out in Abuja’s Gaduwa District on Tuesday when the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, clashed with soldiers over a disputed parcel of land allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff.
A video circulating on social media shows Wike being stopped by armed soldiers from accessing the site, sparking a heated exchange between his security detail and the military personnel. The minister is later seen stepping in to calm the situation as tempers flared, demanding to know who authorised the occupation of the land.
Wike expressed anger at what he described as lawlessness and intimidation.
“Show me the documents you have. You have no documents. We cannot continue to act with such impunity,” he said. “Where is the approval? This cannot go on. How is it that a man at his level cannot meet me, but instead sends soldiers to intimidate people? We are all from this country.
“If not for the Chief of Defence Staff, who just spoke to me, you would have had to kill everyone here. I am not someone you can intimidate.”
The minister further accused the officer of unlawfully seizing the land under the guise of military authority.
“Because you are an officer? Nobody does that. The man took land because he was the Chief of Naval Staff?” Wike demanded angrily.
However a soldier in military camouflage, rejected the allegation, insisting that the property was legally acquired.
At this point, the argument intensified. When Wike, visibly frustrated, told the officer to “shut up,” the officer refused, saying, “I will not shut up.”
In response, Wike retorted sharply, saying, “You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.”
Despite the rising tension, the soldier maintained that he was carrying out official orders and that the land in question had proper documentation.
“On the contrary, sir. We are not intimidating anybody. The papers are complete and he said he has submitted them,” the soldier said.
Wike, however, dismissed the claim, challenging the officer to vacate the property and allow legitimate development to take place.
“You will see if you will not leave here. Go and develop there and let me see,” he warned.
The minister later added that such actions would no longer be tolerated in the FCT, saying the era of impunity and illegal land grabs was over.
The confrontation has since generated widespread debate online, with many Nigerians questioning the military’s involvement in civil land matters and calling for transparency on the ownership and legal status of the contested site.
Neither the Nigerian military nor the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued an official statement on the incident.
Land disputes and illegal acquisitions have long been a source of controversy in Abuja. Since assuming office in August 2023, Wike has intensified his campaign against unauthorised developments and encroachments on government land, ordering several demolitions and vowing to fully restore the Abuja Master Plan.
Melissa Enoch, Boluwatife Enome
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