FCT Minister Wike Speaks on Altercation with AltNavy Officer Over Alleged Illegal Land Grab in Abuja

“FCT Minister Nyesom Wike condemns alleged military land encroachment in Abuja’s Gaduwa area, orders halt to illegal development, and vows not to be intimidated by a former naval officer”.

Abuja, Nigeria – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has broken his silence following a confrontation with a Nigerian Navy officer over a landed property in the Gaduwa area of Abuja.

In a video shared by Arise News, Wike emphasized that he cannot be intimidated by military personnel for carrying out his responsibilities and ensuring due diligence in land acquisition and management within the FCT.

Speaking to journalists at the site of the incident, the minister expressed bewilderment over the use of military influence to enforce personal claims.

“I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position and sees that he has a problem cannot approach my office to say, ‘look, this is what is going on,’ but simply because he is a military man, he could use that to intimidate Nigerians,” Wike said.

The minister stressed that he would not succumb to any form of blackmail or intimidation, underscoring the importance of allowing government officials to perform their duties without interference.

He further revealed that the high-ranking military official allegedly involved in the land dispute lacks the proper documentation to claim ownership.

“I am not one of those persons that would succumb to blackmail or intimidation. And you can imagine — where are the documents? The Director of Development Control is even there saying, ‘bring the documents, you don’t have them. Bring the approval for building, you don’t have it.’ How can we continue to allow lawlessness to prevail in this country? What about those who don’t have the military? What about those who don’t have security?” Wike said.

He warned that the situation has reached a worrying level, where security forces are allegedly being used to intimidate government officials carrying out their duties.

“I have spoken to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff. They assured me that the matter will be resolved. We’re not here to have a shootout with anybody or cause chaos. But I will not allow this to happen. The same way we enforce our laws in other areas is the same way it will be done here. Nobody, whether a former Chief of Naval Staff or anyone else, will be allowed to carry out illegal development on government land,” Wike added.