There was a heated confrontation on Tuesday between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and an unidentified military officer over an alleged case of land grabbing at the Gaduwa District in Abuja.
A video of the altercation, obtained by our correspondent, shows Wike accusing the officer of illegally taking possession of a parcel of land in the area.
The visibly angered minister questioned why the military was laying claim to 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 heard saying.
The officer, dressed in full military camouflage, interrupted, insisting that the acquisition was lawful and that he acted with integrity.
“I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally,” he replied.
An infuriated Wike then ordered him to keep quiet, but the officer refused.
“I will not shut up,” the officer retorted.
The confrontation escalated as Wike fired back: “You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.”
The officer maintained that he was deployed to the site on official assignment, while Wike countered, saying,
“You will see if you will not leave here. Go and develop there and let me see.”
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Credit : Solomon Odeniyi | Channels TV pic.twitter.com/vnQhMHKtC4
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigerian military nor the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had issued an official statement regarding the incident.
Land disputes and illegal allocations have been a recurring issue in the capital. Under Wike’s administration, the FCTA has intensified efforts to curb unauthorised land acquisition, illegal property development, and encroachments on government land.
Since assuming office in August 2023, Wike has ordered multiple demolitions of structures deemed illegal, vowing to restore the Abuja Master Plan.
