VIDEO: Drama in Abuja as Wike Confronts Naval Officers Over Disputed Land

A heated confrontation broke out in Abuja on Tuesday when the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, clashed with a group of naval officers during an inspection of disputed land in the city.

The dramatic encounter, captured in a video published by Channels Television, showed the minister furiously engaging with military personnel allegedly deployed to stop FCT officials from executing a demolition exercise on the contested site.

In the footage, Wike demanded to see official documents authorizing the officers’ presence, insisting that their intervention was unlawful. “Show me the document you have. You have no document,” the minister said.

Responding, a naval officer who appeared to be leading the troops claimed they were acting on “orders” and had submitted the necessary documents. But Wike dismissed the claim, asserting his authority as minister and condemning what he described as “impunity.”

“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,” Wike said angrily.

The visibly upset minister accused the officers of obstructing lawful government operations and using their uniforms to shield illegal activities. “Even if you are a lieutenant general or vice admiral, it means nothing. The government must function according to law,” he declared.

Wike further alleged that the officers’ actions could have endangered lives, noting that the situation was de-escalated only after the Chief of Defence Staff intervened. “If not for the Chief of Defence Staff who just spoke to me, you could have killed everybody here,” he said, implying that tensions could have led to violence.

Eyewitnesses reported that the confrontation intensified when a member of Wike’s entourage accused the naval officer of lying about submitting the land documents to the FCT Administration.

The incident has since sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians debating the boundaries of ministerial authority and the military’s role in civil affairs.