By Obinna Uballa
There was a heated confrontation on Tuesday between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and an unidentified military officer over an alleged land-grabbing incident in the Gaduwa District of Abuja.
A video of the altercation, obtained by our correspondent, showed Wike accusing the officer of unlawfully taking possession of a parcel of land.
The visibly angry minister questioned why the military was laying claim to the property simply because it was linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff.
“Because you are an officer? Nobody does that. The man took land because he was the Chief of Naval Staff?” Wike asked.
The officer, dressed in military camouflage, interrupted the minister, insisting that the land acquisition was lawful and that he had acted with integrity.
“I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally,” he responded.
Wike, angered by the interruption, ordered the officer to remain quiet.
“I will not shut up,” the officer replied.
The exchange escalated as Wike retorted, “You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.”
The officer, however, maintained that he was deployed to the site on official assignment.
“You will see if you will not leave here. Go and develop there and let me see,” Wike said as the confrontation intensified.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the military nor the Federal Capital Territory Administration had issued an official statement on the incident.
Land disputes and illegal allocations have been a recurring issue in Abuja. Under Wike’s leadership, the FCTA has intensified efforts to curb unauthorised land acquisition, illegal property development, and encroachment on government-designated areas.
Since assuming office in August 2023, Wike has ordered several demolitions of structures he described as illegal, vowing to restore the Abuja Master Plan.
