Alleged land grabbing: Navy keeps mum after Wike–officers clash

The Nigerian Navy has remained silent following a heated confrontation between some of its personnel and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over an alleged land-grabbing incident in the Gaduwa District of Abuja.

When our correspondent contacted the Navy spokesman, A. Adams-Aliyu, on Tuesday, for a response, he simply said, “No reply for now.”

The confrontation occurred on Tuesday when Wike visited the site and alleged that the military had taken over the land illegally.

In a video obtained by our correspondent, the visibly enraged minister questioned why the military would lay claim to the land reportedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff.

“Because you are an officer? Nobody does that. The man took land because he was the Chief of Naval Staff?” Wike said.

The officer, dressed in military camouflage, interrupted the minister and insisted that everything was done legally.

“I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally,” he replied.

Wike, angered by the interjection, ordered him to keep quiet.

“I will not shut up,” the officer replied, prompting Wike to respond more harshly: “You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The officer, however, maintained that he was deployed to the disputed site based on official instructions.

“You will see if you will not leave here. Go and develop there and let me see,” Wike retorted as the confrontation escalated.

In a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Press (Office of the Minister), Rabi Umar, Wike condemned the incident, describing it as an act of lawlessness by military personnel.

“I did instruct them (FCTA officials) to make sure that nothing takes place, inasmuch as they do not have any legal paper in terms of building approval or acquisition of the land.

“When they came here, I was informed that the military chased them away. So today, I was called that the military had taken over the place, and I had to come to see things for myself,” the minister was quoted as saying.

Umar added that Wike questioned the use of military personnel to protect what he described as illegal development and vowed that the FCTA would not allow such practices to continue.

“It’s really unfortunate, and you heard what the officer said — he was sent by the former Chief of Naval Staff. I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position, seeing he has a problem, cannot approach my office to explain what is going on. Or, simply because he’s a military man, he felt he could use that to intimidate Nigerians. I’m not one of those who will succumb to blackmail,” Wike said.