The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended his actions in the now-viral confrontation with a naval officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, over a disputed plot of land linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd), insisting that his intervention was necessary to uphold the law.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday ahead of the FCT Executive Council meeting, Wike criticized what he called the “impunity” of the retired naval chief, who allegedly deployed serving naval personnel to protect the contested property and obstruct FCT enforcement officials.
He rejected suggestions that he should not have personally visited the site, arguing that leadership requires action — not silence — in the face of attacks on government officials.
“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?” he asked.
Wike condemned the use of military officers to block lawful regulatory duties, noting that other prominent Nigerians handle land disputes with far more civility.
“Many influential Nigerians have had similar land issues. 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.
“That is a former head of state — a former president — who has the courtesy to call the minister. General T.Y. Danjuma will do the same. They never sent soldiers to attack anybody. They just call,” he said.
The minister also expressed shock over reports that the naval officer referred to police operatives at the scene as “bloody police.”
“Nobody talks like that. A security man saying, ‘Bloody police! Who are these bloody police that will talk to you?’ 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 stated.
Despite the confrontation, Wike emphasized that he holds deep respect for the Nigerian Armed Forces and accused critics of attempting to twist the incident into an attack on the military as an institution.
“I have respect for the military, and I’ll continue to respect them. I know what the institution stands for. I’m not a fool; I went to school. So anyone trying to suggest I have problems with them is wrong. I have no problem with the military, and I never will. Why would I have issues with the government? But this is a private matter,” he clarified.
Wike maintained that his stance was rooted in the need to protect public servants and defend the rule of law, stressing that no individual — no matter their former office — is permitted to use the military to obstruct lawful government activities.
