Abuja, Nigeria—The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed that his administration will not succumb to intimidation or blackmail and will decisively halt all illegal construction and land grabbing in the territory, regardless of the high-ranking individuals involved.¹

Wike’s declaration followed a major and heated confrontation on Tuesday in the Gaduwa District, where he and his FCT Administration (FCTA) officials were obstructed by armed Naval personnel while attempting to inspect and enforce a stop-work order on a disputed plot of land.²

The Showdown: Blocking the Minister

The face-off occurred at Plot 1946, Gaduwa, a site the FCTA claims lacks proper allocation and building approval.³ The land is allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd.).⁴

• The Confrontation: Upon arriving at the site, Wike's convoy was blocked by uniformed Naval officers.⁵ The Minister engaged in a verbal spat with the officer in charge, repeatedly demanding to see the legal documents for the property, which FCT officials say were not produced.⁶

• Wike’s Outrage: The Minister expressed outrage over the use of military officers to shield what he described as a clear case of "lawlessness" and "land grabbing."⁷ He was quoted as saying, “He will not carry out this illegal development and land grabbing, simply because he was a former Chief of Naval Staff.⁸ I will not allow that.”

Vow to Uphold the Law

Speaking to journalists immediately after the tense standoff, Minister Wike condemned the retired officer's alleged use of military force to intimidate government officials carrying out their lawful duties.⁹

"I don't understand how somebody who attained that position and he sees that he has a problem, cannot approach my office to explain what is going on. Or simply because he's a military man, he felt he could use that to intimidate Nigerians. I'm not one of those kinds of persons that will succumb to blackmail or intimidation," Wike asserted.

The Minister reaffirmed that the FCTA's campaign to restore the Abuja Master Plan will continue "without fear or favour".¹⁰

"You can imagine where you cannot even prove that you have the documents. You don't have the title documents and you don't have the approval for building. How can we continue to allow lawlessness to prevail in this country? What about those who don't have the military? What about those who don't have security?" he aske¹¹d.

Wike confirmed that he has engaged the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, both of whom have assured him that the military authorities will intervene to resolve the matter and address the conduct of the personnel involved.¹²

The confrontation has since drawn wide condemnation from other public figures, with some, like former Minister Osita Chidoka, calling for Wike to apologize for insulting the uniformed officer.