Verbal Showdown: FCT Minister Wike, Military Officers Jam Over Disputed Abuja Land

 Abuja, Nigeria – November 12, 2025 — A tense and dramatic confrontation unfolded in Abuja’s Gaduwa District yesterday, as Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike engaged in a fiery verbal exchange with armed Nigerian Navy personnel over a disputed parcel of land. The high-profile clash, captured in a viral video, underscores the intensifying crackdown by the FCT Administration on alleged land grabbing and illegal development in the nation’s capital.

The Standoff at Gaduwa

The incident occurred at Plot 1946 in Gaduwa, where FCTA officials arrived to enforce a stop-work order and potentially a demolition on a developing property. The operation was met with stiff resistance from uniformed personnel, who blocked access to the site.

Minister Wike, who arrived at the scene accompanied by the FCT Commissioner of Police, personally confronted the naval officers. The property is reportedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd).

• Wike’s Accusation: The Minister vehemently insisted that the developers had no valid Right of Occupancy (RofO) or approved building plan from the FCTA, describing the situation as blatant "land grabbing" and an abuse of military power to intimidate government officials.

• Officer’s Defence: The naval officer leading the security detail maintained that they were acting on superior orders and that the land had been legally acquired. The officer insisted, "I am an officer, I have integrity," prompting a sharp verbal retort from the Minister.

The exchange escalated into a heated shouting match, with the Minister ultimately withdrawing after making contact with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff. Wike, however, vowed that the illegal construction would not be allowed to stand, regardless of who was involved.

Deepening the Controversy

The confrontation is the latest in a series of enforcement actions by the Wike-led FCTA aimed at restoring the Abuja Master Plan. However, the dispute has drawn sharp reactions from political commentators and military veterans:

• The Land’s History: Reports suggest the disputed 30-hectare land was initially allocated to military personnel but was allegedly revoked by the FCT Minister and, in some cases, reallocated to his political associates. The FCTA claims the land lacked proper documentation, while the military allottees insist all necessary documents were processed.

• Veterans Condemn Minister's Conduct: A coalition of Nigerian military veterans has publicly condemned Wike’s verbal abuse of the uniformed officer, describing his conduct as "unbecoming" and a threat to national security. Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), called for Wike to issue an immediate public apology to the officer and the Armed Forces, arguing that the public humiliation undermines the authority of the Commander-in-Chief.

The incident highlights the volatile nature of land disputes in the FCT, particularly when involving powerful individuals and institutions. The standoff pits the Minister's uncompromising stance on urban planning against the perceived impunity of highly-placed military personnel.

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