A tense confrontation erupted on Tuesday between Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and a military officer over a disputed parcel of land in the Gaduwa District of Abuja.
The altercation, captured on video, has since drawn widespread attention.
In the footage, Wike accused the officer of unlawfully occupying the property, questioning why the military would claim it simply because it had once belonged to a former Chief of Naval Staff.
“Nobody has the right to take land because of their position,” Wike said. The officer, dressed in full military uniform, countered that the acquisition was legitimate.
“I acted within the law. Everything was done properly,” he insisted, prompting Wike to demand that he stop speaking.
The officer refused, asserting he had been deployed to the location under official orders.The exchange escalated further, with Wike mocking the officer’s age and experience.
“When I graduated, you were still in primary school,” he said, while also warning the officer to leave the site and focus on development elsewhere.
Land disputes remain a longstanding challenge in Abuja, and the FCTA under Wike has actively targeted unauthorised land allocation, illegal construction, and encroachment on government-designated areas.
Since taking office in August 2023, Wike has ordered multiple demolitions, reiterating his commitment to enforcing the Abuja Master Plan.
