The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, has explained his confrontation with a naval officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, over a disputed piece of land in Abuja, insisting that his actions were in defence of public officials carrying out their duties.
Speaking to journalists ahead of the FCT Executive Council meeting on Thursday, Wike condemned what he described as an “abuse of power” by a retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd), who allegedly deployed serving naval personnel to guard the contentious property located at No. 1946, Gaduwa District.
According to the minister, he could not remain silent while FCT officials were being harassed by security operatives.
“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?” Wike asked.
Earlier in the week, the minister was seen in a viral video exchanging words with the naval officer during an inspection of the disputed site.
Reports indicated that FCT Development Control staff were assaulted while attempting to stop what they described as illegal construction on the land.
Wike maintained that the use of serving military officers to obstruct lawful government enforcement operations was unacceptable.
“Many influential Nigerians have had similar land issues. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president, will simply call and say, ‘Minister, I have a problem on this land, can you help?’ and I’ll solve it. General T.Y. Danjuma will do the same. They never send soldiers to attack anybody. They just call,” he stated.
The minister also criticised Yerima for allegedly insulting police officers during the altercation.
“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,” Wike added.
He clarified that his disagreement was not with the Nigerian military as an institution but with an individual misusing the uniform for personal interests.
“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. Anyone suggesting I have issues with the military is wrong. I have no problem with the military, and I never will. This is a private matter,” he said.
