Faisal Salisu DambattaRetired military generals have expressed strong displeasure over the clash between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, A. Yerima, following allegations of illegal land occupation in Abuja.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, confirmed that his ministry has launched an investigation into the incident, stressing that the government will protect any military personnel performing their lawful duties.
The dispute reportedly arose over a piece of land claimed by former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (rtd.), which was being guarded by armed naval personnel. In a viral video circulating on social media, Minister Wike was seen angrily confronting the naval officer at the site.
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd.), condemned Wike’s conduct, describing it as “an affront to the Armed Forces and a breach of institutional discipline.” He further urged Wike to apologise publicly to President Bola Tinubu and the military for his actions.
Similarly, Brig. Gen. Peter Aro (rtd.) noted that the confrontation reflected an abuse of power in a democratic setting, while Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinbi (rtd.) described it as “highly inappropriate for a minister to challenge a commissioned officer in public.
However, the FCT Minister’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, defended his principal, insisting that the former naval chief was misled into purchasing the disputed land, which was originally allocated in 2007 for park and recreational purposes—not for residential or commercial use. He added that the ex-naval chief attempted to use military influence to secure ownership of a property that had no legal backing.
Constitutional lawyer, Prof. Sebastine Hon (SAN), also reacted, stating that the naval officer had no legal authority to obstruct a serving minister from accessing a government property, describing the act as a breach of the law and due process.
