A heated confrontation broke out on Tuesday between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a yet-to-be-identified military officer during a visit to the Gaduwa District of Abuja. The dispute reportedly centred on an alleged case of land grabbing.
In a viral video obtained by our correspondent, Wike is seen accusing the officer of illegally taking possession of a parcel of land, allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff.Visibly furious, the minister questioned why the military was laying claim to the property based on such connections.
“Because you are an officer? Nobody does that. The man took land because he was the Chief of Naval Staff?” Wike fumed.The officer, dressed in full military camouflage, interrupted to defend himself, insisting that the property was lawfully acquired.
“I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally,” he said.
An enraged Wike ordered him to be quiet, but the officer refused, saying, “I will not shut up.” The argument quickly escalated, with Wike retorting, “You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.” The officer maintained that he was merely following official deployment orders.
“You will see if you will not leave here. Go and develop there and let me see,” Wike responded angrily as tensions mounted. As of press time, neither the military authorities nor the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had issued an official response to the incident.
Land disputes and illegal allocations have long been a challenge in the nation’s capital. Since assuming office in August 2023, Wike has intensified efforts to restore the Abuja Master Plan, ordering several demolitions of structures deemed illegal or encroaching on government land.
