Okay News reports that the Nigerian Navy has chosen not to comment on the heated confrontation between its officers and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following allegations of illegal land occupation in the Gaduwa District of Abuja.
When contacted by journalists on Tuesday, the Navy’s spokesperson, A. Adams-Aliyu, said there would be “no reply for now,” fueling speculation about the military’s position on the matter.
The incident occurred during Wike’s inspection of the disputed property, where he accused naval personnel of unlawfully taking over land allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff. The minister, visibly enraged, questioned the officer’s justification for the alleged acquisition.
“Because you are an officer? Nobody does that. The man took land because he was the Chief of Naval Staff?” Wike asked in a video that has since gone viral.
The officer, dressed in military camouflage, countered that the land was obtained through proper legal channels, saying, “I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally.”
Wike, angered by the interjection, ordered him to “keep quiet,” but the officer retorted, “I will not shut up.” The exchange quickly escalated, with Wike replying, “You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.”
The officer maintained that he was acting under official instructions and was deployed to the site for legitimate reasons. Wike, however, threatened to ensure the site was cleared, saying, “You will see if you will not leave here. Go and develop there and let me see.”
Following the confrontation, the Assistant Director of Press in the Minister’s office, Rabi Umar, issued a statement quoting Wike as condemning the military’s action and describing it as “lawlessness.”
According to Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had earlier ordered a halt to any construction activity on the disputed site due to lack of legal documents or building approval. “When they came here, I was informed that the military chased them away. So today, I had to come and see things for myself,” he stated.
He further questioned why military personnel were being used to protect what he termed an “illegal development,” adding, “It’s really unfortunate. You heard what the officer said — he was sent by the former Chief of Naval Staff. I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position cannot approach my office to explain what is going on.”
Wike vowed that the FCTA would not tolerate any acts of intimidation or misuse of power in the territory, emphasizing that all citizens, regardless of their positions, must obey the law.
As of press time, the Nigerian Navy has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. The altercation has sparked intense public debate over the limits of civil authority and the role of the military in property and governance disputes.
