A confrontation reportedly broke out between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a group of military officers during an enforcement exercise in Abuja.
The clash occurred after the former Rivers State governor and his team were denied access to a site in the Gaduwa District of the FCT.
The minister reportedly visited the site after receiving information that soldiers had driven away FCTA officials who were enforcing development control directives.
In a video obtained on Tuesday, Wike was seen engaging in a heated argument with armed soldiers, who insisted they would not vacate the land, claiming they were acting on directives from a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo.
“This is unprofessional. You cannot be threatening a minister like this,” one of the officials accompanying Wike was heard saying as the minister and his team attempted to gain access to the land.
According to him, no individual no matter their former position would be allowed to intimidate government authorities or obstruct enforcement of the law.
I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position cannot approach my office to say, ‘Look, this is what is going on.’ But simply because he’s a military man, he thinks he can use that to intimidate Nigerians. I am not one of those that will succumb to blackmail or intimidation,” the minister said.
Wike also questioned the ownership and development of the land, adding that there was no legal document in the records of the FCT Administration (FCTA) allocating the land to Gambo.
“The Director of Development Control said, ‘Bring the documents’ they don’t have them. ‘Bring approval for building’ they don’t have it. How can we continue to allow lawlessness to prevail? What about those who don’t have the military behind them? What about ordinary Nigerians?”
The minister maintained that the FCT Administration would not tolerate the misuse of military power to obstruct legitimate urban regulation, stressing that the rule of law must apply to all.
“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,” Wike said.
“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 reaffirmed his commitment to restoring order and accountability in Abuja’s land administration, warning that the FCTA would continue to reclaim encroached areas, no matter how powerful those involved may be.
