MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained his recent confrontation with a naval officer at a disputed plot of land in Abuja, saying his intervention was necessary to protect government officials performing their lawful duties.
Speaking during a briefing with journalists on Thursday ahead of the FCT Executive Council meeting, Wike faulted the alleged deployment of serving naval officers to guard a property linked to a retired Chief of Naval Staff, describing the act as “audacious and unacceptable.”
The altercation reportedly occurred on Tuesday at Gaduwa District, where officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had gone to stop ongoing construction on the contested land.
The situation escalated when Wike and his team were allegedly confronted by armed personnel at the site.
Defending his direct involvement, the former Rivers State governor said he could not sit idly in his office while civil servants were being assaulted.
“How can I sit as a minister when government officials are being attacked and beaten up. officials at the level of directors and I’ll just remain in my office doing nothing?” Wike asked.
He accused the retired naval officer of unauthorized development on the land and condemned the use of active-duty soldiers to obstruct government enforcement actions.
Wike noted that other influential Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and General T.Y. Danjuma, had faced similar land issues but handled them through proper channels rather than intimidation.
“Chief Obasanjo will call me and say, ‘Minister, I have a problem on this land, can you help?’ General Danjuma will do the same. None of them sent soldiers to attack anybody. That’s how it should be,” he said.
The minister emphasized that the dispute should not be interpreted as a clash between the FCT Administration and the military, clarifying that, if that were the case, he would have officially communicated with military authorities.
Reiterating his respect for the armed forces and other institutions, Wike maintained that his involvement was strictly to uphold due process and restore order.
“This is not about disrespecting the military. It’s about ensuring that the law is obeyed. Everyone must follow due process, no matter their status,” he added.
