Wike Clashes with Naval Officer in Abuja Land Dispute Standoff

In a viral video circulating on social media, a tense confrontation broke out in Abuja on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, when soldiers stopped the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) from gaining access to an estate land in the FCT.

In the video, naval officers on guard at the disputed site blocked the minister’s envoy, which led to a heated verbal exchange between Wike and one of the officers, named A.M. Yerima.

Wike angrily accused the officer of obstructing government officials from performing their duties, while the officer insisted that he was acting on orders.

In the video, the FCT minister yelled, “Because you’re an officer, nobody does that (nobody acquires land illegally).” 

Naval Officer: “Sir, we did not carry any land.”
FCT Minister: “The man took this, and we will not allow that just because he is the Chief of Army Staff.”

The confrontation escalated when the officer defended his action, stating that all actions taken on the land were legitimate.
Naval Officer: “Sir, everything was acquired legally. Sir, you get the point.”
FCT Minister: “Will you stop that?”
Naval Officer: “Sir, I’m an officer, I have integrity.”
FCT Minister: “Shut up!”
Naval Officer: “Sir, I will not shut up. Sir, I won’t shut up. Sir, you can’t shut me up.”
The visibly enraged minister then called the soldier “a big fool,” but the officer stood his ground.
FCT Minister: “You are a fool, you’re a big fool.”
Naval Officer: “I’m not a fool, sir. I am acting on an order.”
The officer’s refusal to yield to intimidation shocked locals, as neither side would retreat, leading to a tense standoff that caught the attention of nearby residents and FCTA authorities.

This clash marks the latest in a series of disputes tied to land ownership and demolition operations in the Federal Capital Territory since Wike assumed leadership.