Law Vs Uniforms: When Minister Nyesom Wike Went Toe-to-Toe with Soldiers in Abuja.
In the heat of a sun-lit November afternoon in Abuja’s Gaduwa district, drama unfolded that will be remembered as more than just a land dispute it became a test of authority, protocol and power. At the centre was the veteran politician-turned-Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and a group of soldiers who turned his enforcement mission into a viral standoff.
Scene One: Arrival and Blockade
Minister Wike, flanked by senior officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), drove into Plot 1946 in Gaduwa a parcel of land flagged by the FCTA’s Department of Development Control as unauthorised and without valid allocation or building approval. As they approached the gate, they encountered armed soldiers, one of whom stood firmly across their path, asserting that the site was under a military directive and no one would proceed further without permission.
Scene Two: Words Escalate
Wike demanded the documents. He asked: “Where is your allocation? Who gave you this land? Show me your title and your approval.” The lead soldier maintained: “Sir, everything was done legally. I have integrity. I was acting on orders.”
Wike’s tone turned sharp: “You cannot carry a gun to intimidate anybody. I am not one of those that you can intimidate.” He added, visibly angry: “You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.” The soldier refused to back down. “Sir, I will not shut up. You can’t shut me up.” he replied.
Scene Three: The Context Behind the Clash
According to Wike and his team, Plot 1946 is not lawfully allocated for private development. Their records show no valid title or building approval for the land in question. The opposing side claims military protection stems from an order tied to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Awwal Zubairu Gambo (Rtd). Wike publicly accused the ex-naval chief of deploying armed soldiers to his land.
Scene Four: The Aftermath
Wike left the scene without gaining access, but not without issuing a clear challenge: no one, regardless of military rank or past glory, is above the law. He claimed to have spoken with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, demanding that the matter be clarified and resolved. The FCTA says an investigation has been initiated; the soldier’s superiors and the origin of the order are now under scrutiny. Meanwhile, the video of the confrontation has gone viral, sparking intense online debate.
Why This Matters
Land governance & transparency: Abuja has long battled land speculation and illegal allocations; this incident shines a spotlight on one such conflict where even uniformed force is invoked.
Civil vs Military roles: The confrontation raises a critical question: when does military involvement become inappropriate in civilian land enforcement?
Rule of law: Wike’s stand suggests a push for enforcement without fear or favour, even when powerful actors are involved.
What to Watch
* Will the military clarify who ordered the deployment of soldiers and whether protocol was followed?
* Will the FCTA cancel the plot allocation (if any) and enforce a demolition or reclamation?
* Will there be disciplinary action or policy change regarding how military personnel engage in civilian land matters in the FCT?
