Wike clashes with soldiers over land in Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was involved in a tense confrontation with soldiers over a disputed parcel of land in the Gaduwa area of Abuja on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.

A viral video showed Wike being stopped by soldiers from accessing the site, leading to a heated exchange between his security detail and the soldiers.

The minister, who was visibly angry over the situation, was heard saying: “We cannot continue to act with impunity, we cannot continue this way, we cannot continue this way in the country.”

He accused the military personnel of acting with impunity, adding that there is no legal document in the FCTA’s record allocating such land to the officers.

Wike grants 14-day ultimatum to Asokoro, Maitama, Garki, Wuse land defaulters to pay N5m

Wike added: “I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position, seeing that he has a problem, cannot approach my office to say, ‘Look, this is what’s going on,’ or simply because he is a military man, they could use that to intimidate Nigerians.

“We are all from this country. If not for the CDS who spoke to me now, you would have to kill everybody here. I’m not one of those that you can intimidate.”

After several unsuccessful attempts, Wike left the site, with FCTA officials and security operatives following closely behind.

The military officers, however, maintained they would not vacate the land, saying they are working based on directives given to them by a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo.

The Star