Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike on Tuesday engaged in a tense confrontation with soldiers who blocked him and senior FCTA officials from accessing a disputed parcel of land at Gaduwa Dstrict, Abuja.
The dramatic encounter unfolded during an inspection visit, sparking concerns over military interference in civil administration and allegations of irregular land ownership.
Wike, accompanied by aides and technical officers, arrived at the site to verify claims that a private interest had begun development on the land without authorization from the FCT Administration. However, armed soldiers stationed at the entrance refused him entry, insisting they were acting on “orders from above.”
The situation grew heated as one of Wike’s officials accused the soldiers of unprofessional conduct, warning them against threatening a minister of the Federal Republic. The soldiers remained unmoved, asserting that they had strict directives to prevent access to the property.
Visibly angered, Wike challenged the soldiers’ authority, stressing that no individual or institution—including the military—stands above the law. He questioned the legitimacy of the development on the land, arguing that there were no records within the FCTA to support any lawful allocation to the persons claiming ownership.
“You have no document,” Wike said emphatically, accusing those behind the occupation of hiding behind military protection to subvert due process. He condemned what he described as growing impunity in land administration within the capital, warning that his administration would not tolerate intimidation or unlawful possession.
During the confrontation, Wike referenced a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo, whom the soldiers cited as the source of their instructions. The minister expressed surprise that a senior former military officer would allegedly rely on soldiers to enforce a private land claim rather than follow established administrative procedures.
ALSO READ: PDP secretariat boils as Wike camp takes control
He insisted that if anyone had legitimate issues regarding the land, they should approach his office formally rather than resort to what he called “strong-arm tactics.”
“I will not succumb to blackmail,” Wike declared, vowing to investigate how soldiers came to be stationed on the land and why no documentation exists in the FCT land registry to justify their presence.
Despite the tense exchange, the soldiers maintained their stance and refused to vacate the area. The minister and his entourage eventually left the site, but not before reiterating that the matter would be addressed in line with the law.
The incident adds to growing land disputes in the FCT, where issues of illegal allocation, dubious documents and unauthorized developments have triggered multiple crackdowns by the current administration.
Wike has repeatedly emphasized that Abuja lands belong to the government and must be managed transparently, warning that the era of powerful individuals using influence to override due process is over.
The confrontation is expected to trigger further inquiries from both civil and military authorities as questions swirl around the origins of the disputed claim.
News Express
