By Atoyebi Nike
A tense confrontation erupted on Tuesday between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and an unidentified military officer over an alleged land-grabbing incident at Gaduwa District, Abuja.
A video obtained by our correspondent captured Wike accusing the officer of unlawfully taking possession of a parcel of land. The minister questioned why the military would claim the property simply because it was linked to 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?” Wike was seen saying.
The officer, dressed in military camouflage, insisted that his acquisition was legitimate. “I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally,” he replied, prompting Wike to order him to remain silent.
“You will see if you will not leave here. Go and develop there and let me see,” Wike fired back, escalating the verbal exchange. At one point, the minister told the officer, “You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.”
Despite the intensity of the confrontation, the officer maintained that he had acted under official orders. As of press time, neither the military nor the FCTA had issued a formal statement regarding the incident.
Land disputes and illegal allocations remain a persistent challenge in Abuja. Since taking office in August 2023, Wike has intensified efforts to curb unauthorized land acquisitions, illegal developments, and encroachments on government-designated areas, ordering several demolitions to restore the Abuja Master Plan.
