There was tension in Abuja on Tuesday when the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and his entourage were prevented by armed soldiers from accessing a parcel of land in the Gaduwa District.
The soldiers reportedly stopped the minister and his team, insisting they were acting on orders, which led to a heated confrontation. Wike’s aides described the soldiers’ actions as unprofessional and accused them of attempting to intimidate government officials.
Wike, visibly displeased, condemned the incident and questioned the legality of the soldiers’ actions. He maintained that no one is above the law and that such acts of impunity cannot be tolerated. The minister also alleged that due process was not followed in the allocation and development of the disputed land, stating that no legal documents were backing the soldiers’ presence on the site.
He further criticized the involvement of high-ranking military officials in civilian land matters, emphasizing that his administration would not allow the use of force or influence to intimidate law-abiding citizens. Wike reiterated his commitment to upholding transparency and due process in all FCT land dealings.
Reports indicate that the soldiers claimed to be acting on directives from a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo, and refused to vacate the property despite Wike’s intervention.
The confrontation has since sparked widespread reactions across social media, with Nigerians calling for an investigation into the ownership and proper documentation of the disputed land.
