Abuja, A tense confrontation broke out in Abuja on Tuesday between Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, officials of the FCT Administration, and Nigerian soldiers guarding a disputed property. The incident, caught on video and now widely circulated online, highlights growing tensions over alleged land grabbing and questionable allocations in the nation’s capital.
According to witnesses, Wike and his team arrived at the site for what officials described as an inspection or possible enforcement exercise. However, they were stopped at the gate by armed soldiers who insisted they were under orders to secure the property.
The confrontation quickly escalated into a verbal exchange. In the video, Wike is seen challenging the soldiers’ authority, demanding proof of ownership and questioning why the military was involved in what he called a “civil matter.”
“Show me the document. You have no document,” Wike is heard saying.
“You cannot be carrying a gun to intimidate people who are doing their job.”
At one point, a soldier responded that he was simply following instructions, declaring, “I’m an officer; I take orders.”
The standoff reportedly ended after Wike placed a call to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), who intervened to defuse the situation. The minister later accused unnamed individuals of using military personnel to obstruct lawful administrative duties.
“You could have killed everybody here no problem. I’m not one of those they can intimidate,” Wike said after the exchange.
The incident comes amid mounting scrutiny of land administration in the FCT, where allegations of illegal allocations and encroachments have sparked public outrage. The FCTA has vowed to reclaim lands allegedly acquired through irregular means, while critics accuse the administration of selective enforcement and political vendettas.
As of press time, the Nigerian Army and the FCTA have yet to issue official statements on the confrontation.
