A heated confrontation broke out on Tuesday between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a yet-to-be-identified military officer over an alleged case of land grabbing at Gaduwa District, Abuja.
A viral video of the altercation, obtained by News Access NG, showed an angry Wike accusing the officer of illegally taking over a parcel of land in the area.
Visibly displeased, the minister questioned why the military was claiming ownership of the land, reportedly 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 said in the video.
The officer, dressed in full military camouflage, interrupted the minister, insisting that the land acquisition was legitimate.
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“I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally,” the officer replied.
Wike, clearly angered by the interjection, ordered him to keep quiet, but the officer stood his ground, responding, “I will not shut up.”
The confrontation quickly escalated, with Wike firing back:
“You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.”
Despite the exchange, the officer maintained that he was deployed to the site under official orders.
“You will see if you will not leave here. Go and develop there and let me see,” Wike retorted as the encounter grew more tense.
As of press time, neither the Nigerian military nor the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had released an official statement on the incident.
Land disputes and illegal allocations remain a persistent issue in Abuja. Since assuming office in August 2023, Wike has intensified enforcement against unauthorised land acquisition, illegal property development, and encroachments on government-designated zones.
The minister has also supervised multiple demolition exercises, vowing to restore the integrity of the Abuja Master Plan and ensure accountability in land administration across the FCT.