Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has clashed with military officers in Abuja over an alleged case of land grabbing involving a former Chief of Naval Staff.
The incident happened on Tuesday at Plot 1946, Buffer Transit, Southern Parkway in the Gaduwa District, where Mr Wike had gone with officials of the Federal Capital Territory Development Administration (FCDA) to stop an ongoing construction said to have violated city planning regulations.
Footage circulating online showed a heated argument between the minister and an army officer guarding the site.
Mr Wike accused the officer of illegally occupying the land because it was linked to retired Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, a former Chief of Naval Staff.
“Because you are an officer? Nobody does that. The man took land because he was the Chief of Naval Staff?” the minister was heard saying.
The officer, however, defended himself, insisting the land was acquired through proper channels.
“I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally,” he replied.
The exchange grew tense when Mr Wike ordered him to be quiet, but the officer refused, saying, “I will not shut up.”
Mr Wike then shouted back, “You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.”
Witnesses said armed soldiers blocked the entrance to the plot with a truck, preventing FCDA bulldozers from entering the site. The officers reportedly claimed they were acting “on superior orders”.
Speaking to journalists after the confrontation, Mr Wike accused the retired naval officer of using his military connections to intimidate government officials.
“I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position cannot approach my office to resolve issues, but instead uses the military to threaten Nigerians. I will not succumb to blackmail or intimidation,” he said.
The minister also said the officers failed to present valid documents authorising the development, adding that the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Naval Staff had promised to look into the matter.
“We are not here to cause chaos or a shootout,” Mr Wike stated. “But I will not allow an illegal development simply because someone once held a powerful office.”
Land disputes and unauthorised developments have been a recurring problem in Abuja. Since taking office, Mr Wike has launched several demolition and enforcement drives aimed at restoring the city’s original master plan.