Buratai Demands Apology from Wike for Disrespect to Military

Former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd) has strongly condemned the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for publicly insulting a uniformed military officer during an incident in Abuja on November 11, 2025. Buratai described the minister’s actions as a serious breach of discipline that threatens the integrity and morale of the Nigerian Armed Forces and undermines the nation’s command structure. He regarded the verbal assault as not mere political drama but a reckless endangerment of national security ​.

Video footage of the confrontation, which quickly circulated online, shows Wike berating a military officer assigned to a land dispute enforcement operation in the Gaduwa area of Abuja. The minister reportedly called the officer a “fool” and made disparaging remarks about his age and status, actions viewed as disrespectful towards a serving member of the nation’s security forces. Buratai warned that such behavior damages the chain of command, disrespects the Commander-in-Chief’s authority, and risks emboldening indiscipline within security institutions ​.

Buratai has demanded that Minister Wike issue a swift and unequivocal public apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Commander-in-Chief, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the officer offended. He stressed the importance of placing national security above political conflicts and urged decisive corrective measures to preserve military discipline and civil-military relations. Other military veterans and youth organizations have echoed this call, warning that failure to address the incident could undermine institutional respect and national order ​.

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The Nigerian Armed Forces have recently taken firm actions against indiscipline, including the arrest and disciplinary proceedings against several officers for breaches of service regulations. The military leadership continues to emphasize professionalism and loyalty to preserve its constitutional role and institutional integrity amid rising tensions in civil-military interactions ​.

This incident highlights the fragile balance between civilian authorities and the military, underscoring the critical need for mutual respect and discipline to maintain national stability.