Abuja Land Dispute: Wike moves to halt illegal development as Buratai says confrontation threatens National Security
Amid 0ngong development drive to transform Abuja into a metropolitan city, FCTA engaged in stiff confrontation with Nigerian Army.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has publicly nailed the alleged illicit takeover of a crisis land in Abuja by military officer, who was said to be acting upon the orders of a former Chief of Naval Staff, describing it lawless and unacceptable.
Personally, the former governor of Rivers State made a visit to the site on Tuesday after he received reports of soldiers forcefully driving away FCTA officials, who were there to enforce development control directives, stated that no person of former or present position is allowed to intimidate government authorities of deter enforcement of law.
“You are aware that the land departments and the Development Control have the mandate to monitor illegal development and land grabbing,” the minister said.
“When this was brought to my attention, I instructed them to ensure that nothing takes place there, as there were no legal documents—no regional approval, no valid acquisition.”
In the statement of the former governor, when staff of the Department of Development Control came on to the site to act on his directive, they were driven away by armed soldiers who were said to be acting under the command of a retired senior officer.
“I was informed that the soldiers of the military had to chase them away, and I thought they were acting illegally,” Wike said.
“Today, while I was in the office, I was called again that the military had taken over the place. I had to come myself to see things. It’s really unfortunate.”
He expressed shock that a person who was once in a top military position could unleash such intimidation rather than threading peace path.
“I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position cannot approach my office to say, ‘Look, this is what is going on.’
“But simply because he’s a military man, he thinks he can use that to intimidate Nigerians. I am not one of those that will succumb to blackmail or intimidation,” the minister said firmly.
The minister also revealed that when the FCTA staff requested documents to corroborate their acquisition of the land, no was presented.
“The Director of Development Control said, ‘Bring the documents’ they don’t have them. ‘Bring approval for building’ they don’t have it.
“How can we continue to allow lawlessness to prevail? What about those who don’t have the military behind them? What about ordinary Nigerians?”
Wike reiterated that the FCT Administration would not succumb to the misuse arbitrary use of military power to impede legal or legitimate urban regulation, adding that the rule of law must prevail.
“I have spoken to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff. They assured me that the matter will be resolved. We’re not here to have a shootout with anybody or cause chaos,” Wike said.
“But I will not allow this to happen. The same way we enforce our laws is other areas is the same way it will be done here.
“Nobody whether a former Chief of Naval Staff or anyone else will be allowed to carry out illegal development on government land.”
The FCT Minister stated his commitment to reinstate order and accountability in the Abuja’s land administration, issuing a warning that FCTA would not cease to recover encroached areas, no matter how influential and powerful those involved may thing they are.
Wike’s Face-off With Military Is Threatens National Security ─ Buratai
Following Minister of Federal Capital Territory’s clash with a Nigerian Naval Officer on Tuesday, a former Chief of Army Staff. Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd), has issued a warning that such a confrontation represents “a clear and present danger to national security” and prayed for quick corrective action
On Tuesday, In a statement on his verified Facebook page, the former Chief of Army Staff said that the minister’s attitude during the face-off “transcends mere misconduct” and “undermines the authority of the Commander-in-Chief and the integrity of the Armed Forces.”
The clash between Wike and the naval officer took place at Plot 1046, Gaduwa District, Abuja, having started with a misunderstanding over a ownership and development rights to land reportedly owned by a former Chief of Naval Staff.
The Federal Capital Territory minister, accompanied by top officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority, made a visit to the site to stop what was described as an “illicit construction” while he confronted a junior naval officer allegedly foremanning the property.
In the viral clip of the incident, Wike was seen and heard fuming at the officer’s presence, insisting that no individual, irrespective of their military influence or connection, is bigger than the rule of law.
“You are in uniform, and you’re telling me that the Navy owns this land? Who gave you the right to build without approval? Even if you are the Chief of Naval Staff, the law must be respected,” Wike in the viral clip.
The naval officer, whose name has yet to be known, responded that the property was owned by a former service chief and that they had the authorisation to protect it.
Howbeit, reacting to the incident, Buratai said the minister’s action to rebuke a uniformed officer spells “a reckless act that strikes at the core of Nigeria’s command and control structure.”
He said, “A minister’s verbal assault on a military officer in uniform is an act of profound indiscipline that strikes at the very foundation of our national security apparatus. It is not political theatre—it is a reckless endangerment of national order.”
“This action by Wike is clearly an indication of undermining the Federal Government’s authority. It disrespects the Commander-in-Chief and wounds the morale of every officer who serves under the Nigerian flag,” he added.
Buratai has implored President Bola Tinubu to handle the issues as a national security concern.
“Barrister Nyesom Wike must tender an immediate and unequivocal public apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Commander-in-Chief, to the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and to the specific officer whose honour was violated,” he declared.
“The integrity of our Armed Forces demands nothing less. Our nation’s security must come first. It is time for decisive action, not politics of military bashing,” he added.
Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd) served as Nigeria’s Chief or Army Staff between 2015 and 2021 under the late and former president, General Muhammadu Buhari.
