Drama in Abuja: Wike, naval officers in fiery face-off over disputed land

Tension flared in Abuja on Tuesday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, clashed with a group of naval officers during an inspection of a disputed parcel of land. The confrontation, which unfolded during a demolition exercise by FCT officials, was captured in a video published by Channels Television and quickly went viral online.

The footage showed the visibly angry minister confronting the naval personnel allegedly stationed to stop FCT officials from carrying out the demolition. Mr Wike, in a raised voice, demanded legal documentation to justify the soldiers’ presence at the site, insisting that no one, regardless of rank or uniform, was above the law.

“Show me the document you have. You have no document,” the minister declared. In response, the officer leading the troops said they were acting on “orders” and had the necessary documents to support their actions.

Wike, visibly unconvinced, retorted, “I am the minister. You cannot tell me that. We cannot continue with this kind of impunity. You cannot use soldiers to intimidate government officials doing their job. This country cannot continue this way.” He accused the officers of obstructing lawful government work and using their uniforms to shield illegal structures.

“Even if you are a lieutenant general or vice admiral, it means nothing. The government must function according to law,” he added, maintaining that the FCT Administration’s enforcement drive must not be undermined.

At one point, the minister alleged that the officers’ actions could have endangered lives, saying, “If not for the Chief of Defence Staff who just spoke to me, you could have killed everybody here.” His remarks suggested that the standoff could have escalated violently if not for last-minute intervention from higher military authorities.

The confrontation further intensified when a member of Wike’s entourage accused the naval officer of lying about forwarding the disputed land documents to the FCT Administration. The comment drew outrage among the armed officers, who became visibly agitated. Security aides and police personnel accompanying the minister quickly stepped in to shield him and other officials from the tense scene.

A member of Wike’s team described the officers’ conduct as “unprofessional” after one of them allegedly threatened to assault the minister. However, the naval officer leading the troops maintained that the land was legally acquired.

“Will you stop that? Will you stop that?” Wike shouted at the officer, who replied, “Sir, I’m an officer. I have integrity.” The minister snapped back, “Shut up your mouth! Who does that? Will you get out? When I was in school, you had not even resumed school. Will you keep quiet? You are a big fool!” The officer stood his ground, saying, “I am not a fool, sir. I am acting on instructions, and I am a commissioned officer.”

The incident occurred amid the FCT Administration’s intensified crackdown on illegal land allocations, encroachments, and unapproved structures across the capital city. Wike has repeatedly vowed to restore Abuja’s master plan, warning that no one, no matter how influential will be allowed to flout the law. Efforts to obtain official comments from the Nigerian Navy and the FCT Administration were still ongoing at the time of filing this report.

Mr Wike, known for his combative style and direct approach to governance, has defended his urban renewal campaign as a necessary step to restore order in Abuja’s development. However, critics have accused him of favoritism and alleged that some prime lands have been allocated to his allies and family members, allegations the minister has consistently denied.

Analysis:

The fiery confrontation between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and naval officers over disputed Abuja land lays bare Nigeria’s deep-seated culture of power showmanship and institutional shamelessness among public officials. What should have been a simple enforcement exercise degenerated into a public spectacle of ego, where authority was measured not by due process but by volume and uniform. The incident reflects a broader malaise in Nigeria’s governance — a system where officials, whether in suits or fatigues, often prioritize dominance over decorum and legality. Both sides, instead of embodying professionalism, turned a policy enforcement mission into a theatre of arrogance and rivalry, exposing how power is too often flaunted rather than exercised with restraint. Beyond the verbal fireworks, the clash mirrors the decay in Nigeria’s public institutions, where law enforcement and political leadership frequently trade dignity for display, and the rule of law is overshadowed by the rule of muscle.