Wike, Soldiers clash over Abuja land + Video

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has been seen in a viral video in a heated clash with some soldiers of the Nigerian Navy over land in Abuja.

The clash, on Tuesday, followed the prevention of Wike and a team from the FCT Administration from having access to the land.

The minister was seen in the video challenging soldiers deployed to prevent FCTA officials from demolishing the building on the land.

Wike was heard demanding documents to justify the soldiers’ presence, insisting that no one, regardless of rank, is above the law.

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He said: “Show me the document you have. 

“You have no document.”

The head of the Naval team told him they were acting on “orders”.

Wike responded: “I am the minister. 

“You cannot tell me that. 

“We cannot continue with this kind of impunity.

“You cannot use soldiers to intimidate government officials doing their job. 

“This country cannot continue this way.

“Even if you are a Lieutenant General or Vice Admiral, it means nothing. 

“The government must function according to the law.

“If not for the Chief of Defence Staff who just spoke to me, you could have killed everybody here.”

The confrontation reportedly escalated when a member of the minister’s entourage challenged the naval officer, accusing him of lying about forwarding the land documents to the FCT Administration.

The comment provoked outrage among the armed soldiers.

Some plainclothes security officials and police personnel accompanying the minister were seen shielding him and other FCT officials from the naval officers.

A member of Wike’s team was heard describing the officers’ conduct as “unprofessional” after one of them allegedly threatened to assault the minister.

The naval officer leading the troops insisted that the land in question had been legally acquired.

In reaction, Wike shouted: “Will you stop that? 

“Will you stop that?”

The officer replied: “Sir, I’m an officer. 

“I have integrity.”

The minister responded sharply: “Shut up your mouth! 

“Who does that? 

“Will you get out? 

“When I was in school, you had not even resumed school. 

“Will you keep quiet? 

“You are a big fool!”

The officer respondedL “I am not a fool, sir. 

“I am acting on instructions, and I am a commissioned officer.”

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