The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has addressed his recent encounter with a naval officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, over a disputed piece of land said to belong to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd).
Speaking to journalists before the FCT Executive Council meeting on Thursday, Wike said the issue arose after government officials were allegedly attacked while carrying out their duties at the contested property. He stated that he could not remain passive as a minister while government officers were being assaulted in the course of enforcing the law.
Wike accused the retired naval chief of wrongfully deploying serving military personnel to protect the land, describing the act as an abuse of authority. He compared the situation to how other respected leaders had handled similar land issues, noting that some former heads of state and senior military figures had resolved such matters through official communication instead of using force or intimidation.
The minister condemned the alleged conduct of the naval officer who, according to reports, insulted and assaulted police officers during the confrontation. He said such behavior was unacceptable, especially coming from someone in uniform.
Wike maintained that his actions were in line with his duty to protect public officials and uphold the rule of law. He also clarified that he had no issues with the Nigerian military as an institution, stressing that his intervention was strictly related to a private land dispute and not an attack on the armed forces.
According to him, the military remains a respected national institution, and his confrontation was directed only at the misuse of power by individuals acting outside their lawful boundaries.