Defence Minister backs naval officer confronts FCT Minister Wike
The Defence Ministry of Nigeria, through its minister Mohammed Badaru, has publicly supported a naval officer involved in a confrontation with Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The altercation occurred during a land-access inspection in Abuja.
During a press briefing on the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Celebration held at the National Defence College in Abuja, the minister affirmed that military personnel performing lawful duties would be shielded from repercussions. He said: “So we are looking into this issue, and we assure that any officer on lawful duty will be protected highly. So we will not allow anything happen to him so far he is doing his job, and he is doing his job greatly well.”
The incident in question involved a naval lieutenant subjected to verbal rebuke by Minister Wike for allegedly preventing FCTA officials from accessing a disputed plot of land in Gaduwa district, Abuja. The officer insisted he was acting on orders and was a commissioned officer.
The Defence Headquarters later posted an image and message on its social media handle reading “IT IS AN HONOUR TO SERVE IN THE NIGERIAN MILITARY. UNSHAKEN. UNBENT. UNBROKEN.” which many interpreted as a show of institutional support for the naval contingent.
The clash has sparked debate about the relationship between civilian authorities and the military in Nigeria, particularly regarding land allocation, jurisdiction, and chain of command. The minister’s statement signals firm backing for personnel acting under military orders, even in disputes involving government agencies.
