Wike confronts military officer in Abuja over alleged illegal land grab, accusing the army of encroaching on Gaduwa property linked to ex-Naval Chief
Wike confronts military officer over land dispute at the Gaduwa District in Abuja, in a fiery exchange captured on video that has since gone viral.
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was seen in a heated argument with an unidentified military officer over what he described as an illegal seizure of land belonging to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
In the video obtained by our correspondent, a visibly angry Wike accused the officer of encroaching on the land under the guise of military authority and questioned why the property was allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff.
“Because you are an officer? Nobody does that. The man took land because he was the Chief of Naval Staff?” Wike was heard saying during the confrontation.
The officer, dressed in camouflage, interrupted the minister, claiming he had acted legally and with integrity. “I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally,” he said.
An enraged Wike ordered the officer to be quiet, prompting a sharp response: “I will not shut up.”
The exchange quickly escalated, with Wike firing back, “You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.”
The officer insisted he was deployed to the site on official orders, but the minister retorted, “You will see if you will not leave here. Go and develop there and let me see.”
As of Tuesday evening, neither the military authorities nor the FCTA had issued an official statement on the incident.
Land ownership disputes and illegal developments have long plagued the Abuja metropolitan area.
Since assuming office in August 2023, Wike has led an aggressive campaign to restore the Abuja Master Plan, ordering the demolition of several illegal structures and revoking irregular land allocations.
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The latest altercation underscores the growing tension between government agencies and individuals accused of land encroachment, as the FCTA intensifies efforts to reclaim public property.
