Yerima Was Doing His Job — Defence Minister Backs Naval Officer

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has defended the actions of Lieutenant A. M. Yerima, the naval officer who recently clashed with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, during a heated confrontation over a disputed plot of land in Abuja.

The incident, which occurred on Plot 1946, Gaduwa District on Tuesday, 11 November, 2025, reportedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (Rtd), has generated widespread public debate.

In reaction to the altercation, Defence Minister Badaru stated that Yerima acted within the scope of his official duty and would be fully protected by the military.

“We are looking into this issue, and we assure that any officer on lawful duty will be protected highly. We will not allow anything to happen to him so far he is doing his job, and he is doing his job greatly well,” Badaru said.

His comments appear to justify Yerima’s handling of the confrontation, despite Minister Wike’s public outburst at the scene. 

The Defence Minister emphasized that the military would not condone indiscipline but would equally safeguard officers performing legitimate assignments.

9News Nigeria reports that the confrontation unfolded when Wike, accompanied by his security aides and the FCT Commissioner of Police, visited the disputed land reportedly fenced off by naval personnel. 

The FCTA maintains that the property falls within a designated buffer zone where no approved development is allowed, while the naval authorities insist that the land was legally acquired and duly documented.

In a widely circulated video, both Wike and Yerima were seen in a heated exchange over the legality of the construction and authority to enforce the Abuja master plan. 

Wike accused the naval officer of obstructing FCTA enforcement, while Yerima maintained he was acting under superior orders.

The Defence Ministry has since pledged to conduct a comprehensive review of the incident to establish the facts surrounding the land ownership and determine whether any rules were breached by either side.