Tension escalated in Gaduwa, Abuja, when Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike clashed with soldiers over access to a disputed parcel of land, sparking widespread attention across social media.
The incident occurred as Wike, accompanied by officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), attempted to inspect a land site under the Development Control Department. Soldiers stationed at the location refused them entry, claiming they were acting under orders.
In a heated exchange, Wike challenged the soldiers’ actions, demanding to know why they were obstructing the lawful duties of his officials. “You cannot carry a gun to intimidate anybody. I am not one of those that I can be intimidated,” he declared.
The confrontation quickly became heated, with Wike reportedly telling one of the soldiers:
“You’re a fool, I’m not a fool.”
He further stressed:
“You cannot carry a gun to intimidate anybody. I am not one of those that I can be intimidated.”
In the viral footage, Wike also criticized the soldier directly:
“Shut up, you are a fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.”
According to Wike, the land has no valid allocation documents on record with the FCTA, and he insisted that no individual, military or otherwise, is above the law.
He added that he had contacted the Chief of Defence Staff and other top military authorities to address the matter.
It was also reported that the disputed land belongs to a former Chief of Naval Staff.
As of press time, neither the Nigerian Army nor the FCTA had issued official statements clarifying who ordered the soldiers to block access.
The video of the confrontation has gone viral, generating widespread public debate over the apparent clash between civil authority and the military in the nation’s capital. Observers say the incident raises questions about military protocol, governance, and respect for lawful authority in Abuja.
