No one is above the law, even in uniform, Wike speaks after encounter with military personnel

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has condemned what he described as an unlawful takeover of a disputed plot in Abuja by military officers allegedly acting on the orders of a former Chief of Naval Staff.

The confrontation, which was captured in videos circulating online, showed Wike in a heated exchange with a military official at the site.

In a statement following the incident, Wike said he visited the location after reports that officials from the FCT Administration’s Department of Development Control were driven away by armed soldiers.

“You are aware that the land departments and the development control have the mandate to monitor illegal development and land grabbing,” Wike said.

“When this was brought to my attention, I instructed them to ensure that nothing takes place there, as there were no legal documents, no regional approval, no valid acquisition.”

He added that while FCTA officials were at the site enforcing his directive, they were allegedly forced out by the soldiers.

“I was informed that the military had to chase them away, and I thought they were acting illegally.”

“Today, while I was in the office, I was called again that the military had taken over the place. I had to come myself to see things. It’s really unfortunate,” Wike said.

The minister stressed that the government would not tolerate intimidation of its staff and insisted that due process must be followed regardless of social status.

“I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position cannot approach my office to say, ‘Look, this is what is going on.’”

“But simply because he’s a military man, he thinks he can use that to intimidate Nigerians. I am not one of those that will succumb to blackmail or intimidation,” he said.

Wike also revealed that those occupying the land could not present valid documentation when asked, reinforcing the FCT administration’s position that the property is being used illegally.

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