The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has thrown his weight behind Lieutenant Yerima, the naval officer who confronted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, during a heated exchange over access to a disputed parcel of land in Abuja.
The land in question is reportedly owned by former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (Retired), and has been at the centre of a long-running ownership dispute involving private developers and the Nigerian Navy.
Addressing journalists at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, held to mark preparations for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, the Defence Minister said the Federal Government would stand firmly behind all officers carrying out their lawful duties.
“At the Ministry, and indeed within the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty,” Badaru said.
“We will always protect our officer. He has done well. We won’t allow anything to happen to him.”
Badaru stressed that the Federal Government would not tolerate any form of harassment or intimidation of military personnel performing legitimate assignments. He added that the Defence Ministry was already reviewing the incident involving Wike and Lieutenant Yerima to ensure due process is followed and the integrity of the Armed Forces upheld.
The Defence Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the dignity and discipline of the military, describing the incident as “unfortunate” and avoidable.
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“We are looking into this issue, and I assure you that any officer performing his duty legitimately will be fully protected,” he said.
The confrontation between the FCT Minister and the naval officer drew widespread public attention after a video of the encounter circulated online, showing Wike accusing the officer of obstructing an official inspection exercise.
The incident sparked reactions from military veterans and civil society groups, who condemned the minister’s conduct and called for a public apology. The Coalition of Retired Veterans, in a separate statement, described Wike’s remarks as “disrespectful to the uniform” and warned against any punitive action against the naval officer.
Meanwhile, senior defence officials have reportedly briefed President Bola Tinubu on the matter, with assurances that the chain of command remains intact and that the military will continue to uphold professionalism in all engagements with civilian authorities.
The Defence Ministry’s firm stance is being viewed as a clear message of support for discipline, morale, and the lawful protection of Nigeria’s armed forces, particularly at a time when the military continues to play a critical role in national security operations.
