ANALYSIS: Wike, Naval Officer’s Fiery Exchange over alleged Land Encroachment

On Tuesday, 11 November, 2025, a heated confrontation erupted between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a Naval officer, identified as Lieutenant A. M. Yerima, over an alleged illegal construction on a disputed plot of land in Gaduwa District, Abuja.

The altercation, which has since gone viral, occurred at Plot 1946, Gaduwa, reportedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (Rtd). 

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) maintains that the land falls within a designated buffer zone and that no development approval had been granted for construction on the site.

According to the FCTA , field officers were prevented from carrying out an enforcement exercise by armed naval personnel who insisted they were acting on “superior orders.” 

This obstruction prompted Minister Wike, accompanied by his security team and the FCT Commissioner of Police, to personally visit the site.

Upon arrival, Wike was denied access by uniformed naval officers led by Lt. Yerima, who claimed the land was lawfully acquired and that the relevant documents had been submitted to authorities.

The standoff quickly turned into a heated verbal confrontation. 

Wike demanded that Yerima produce legal documents authorizing the development, insisting the structure was illegal.

“You cannot continue to act with impunity. You will never develop this plot. I will never allow it,” the minister declared.

Lt. Yerima, however, stood his ground, replying, “I am an officer. I take orders from a three-star General.”

Wike fired back, “There is no order greater than mine here. You are taking an illegal order.”

However, under the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act, Cap U2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (2004), all developments within the FCT must receive prior approval from the Department of Development Control. 

Any construction on land without a valid building permit constitutes an offence and may be subject to demolition, sealing, or prosecution under Section 60 of the Act.

Furthermore, Section 7(1) of the FCT Act, 1976, vests all lands within the Federal Capital Territory in the Federal Government of Nigeria, to be administered by the FCT Minister on behalf of the President. 

This legal framework gives the Minister exclusive authority to approve or revoke any allocation or development within the capital.

By that provision, Minister Wike’s intervention is legally backed by statutory powers. 

However, the presence of armed naval officers at a civil construction site introduces a potential breach of jurisdiction under the Armed Forces Act, as military personnel are not permitted to engage in civil disputes without express authorization from the Defence Headquarters.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Military Veterans has condemned Wike’s outburst, describing his words as “unbecoming of a public officer” and urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call him to order.

In response, the Minister maintained that his duty is to uphold the FCT master plan, irrespective of status or rank.

“The law is the law. Whether you are a minister, a soldier, or a civilian, once you violate the master plan of the FCT, we will take action,” Wike said.

He confirmed that he had spoken with the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Naval Staff to ensure that the matter is handled through proper administrative and legal channels.