Wike, military officer clash over alleged land grabbing in Abuja
A heated confrontation broke out on Tuesday between Nyesom Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), and an unidentified military officer over an alleged case of land grabbing at Gaduwa district, Abuja.
In a video seen by The Times of Abuja, the visibly angered minister accused the officer of forcefully taking over a parcel of land said to be 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 was heard saying during the exchange.
The officer, dressed in full military uniform, interrupted, insisting that the land was legitimately acquired.
“I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally,” he said.
His response appeared to irritate the minister further, as Wike ordered him to stay quiet — a directive the officer refused to obey.
“I will not shut up,” the officer replied.
Wike then fired back, saying, “You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.”
The officer maintained that he was on official duty and acting on orders, but the minister challenged him to proceed with any development on the land.
“You will see if you will not leave here. Go and develop there and let me see,” Wike retorted.
The tense exchange reportedly drew the attention of bystanders at the site.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigerian military nor the federal capital territory administration (FCTA) had issued any official statement on the incident.
