Abuja witnessed a dramatic standoff on Tuesday as soldiers blocked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from accessing a parcel of land in the Gaduwa district, sparking a heated confrontation.
Eyewitnesses say the incident escalated when armed personnel stopped Wike and his entourage from entering the site. One of the officials accompanying the minister immediately challenged the soldiers, describing their actions as “unprofessional” and warning against threatening a government minister.
Visibly frustrated, Wike confronted the officers directly, questioning the legitimacy of their blockade. “You have no document,” he asserted, insisting that due process had not been followed regarding the land’s development.
The minister went on to stress that no individual or group is above the law, emphasizing that intimidation tactics would not be tolerated under his watch. “You cannot be higher than any government. You cannot be carrying a gun to intimidate anybody. I am not one of those that can be intimidated,” Wike declared.
According to him, the Federal Capital Territory Administration has no record indicating that the land was legally allocated. He vowed to challenge any unauthorized development during his tenure, framing the confrontation as part of a broader fight against impunity.
Wike also took aim at the chain of command, questioning why previous officials, including former Chief of Staff, did not address concerns through official channels rather than deploying military force. “It’s really unfortunate. I don’t understand how somebody in that position cannot approach my office to raise an issue, and instead chooses intimidation because of their military status,” he said.
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Despite the minister’s protests, the soldiers maintained their position, claiming they were acting on directives from former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions around land administration in the FCT and raises questions about military involvement in civil matters, even as Wike promises to uphold transparency and the rule of law.
