Soldier Clash: Wike faults ex-Naval Chief over land dispute, says “this is not military vs government”

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has broken his silence on the viral confrontation with A.M. Yerima, a naval officer, over a disputed land allegedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Awwal Zubairu Gambo.

Speaking before the FCT Executive Council meeting on Thursday, Wike accused the retired naval chief of misusing his influence by deploying serving officers to guard the contested property, describing the act as “a clear abuse of power.”

The minister condemned the use of military personnel to “obstruct lawful activities” of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), saying it was unacceptable for a retired officer to use his former position for personal benefit.

Defending his decision to personally visit the site, Wike said he could not sit idly while government officials were being assaulted during the enforcement of FCDA orders.

“How can I sit as a minister when government officials are being attacked and beaten up, officials at the level of directors? And I’ll just sit in my office doing what?” Wike asked.

The disputed land, located at plot 1946 in Gaduwa district, Abuja, was reportedly under construction despite an FCDA stop-work order.

Wike said the FCDA officials sent to halt the project were attacked by security personnel attached to the property.

He faulted what he described as the “use of military intimidation” in a purely civil issue, citing examples of other influential Nigerians who resolved similar matters through lawful dialogue.

“Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former head of state and president, will simply call me. He’ll say, ‘Minister, I have a problem on this land, can you help?’ And I’ll solve it. General T.Y. Danjuma does the same. They never sent soldiers to attack anybody,” Wike stated.

The minister also condemned Yerima for allegedly referring to police officers as “bloody police,” calling such conduct unbecoming of a commissioned officer.
“Nobody talks like that! You say you’re a commissioned officer, to God be the glory, but it is these same government officials you’re beating, the ones who made you what you are,” he said.

Clarifying his stance, Wike maintained that he had no issue with the Nigerian military as an institution but with individuals acting unlawfully.

“I have respect for the military, and I’ll continue to respect them. My action is not against the armed forces; it’s against a private individual using the military to break the law,” he explained.

Wike added that the disputed land was never allocated to Gambo but to Santos Estate Limited for use as a park and recreation area.

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