Wike’s Fiery Clash with Soldiers – A Line Crossed in the Name of Reform?
The dusty plots of Gaduwa District, a once-quiet corner of Nigeria’s capital, turned into an unlikely arena this week and not with bullets, but with blistering words.
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike – the firebrand on a mission to purge Abuja’s “land grabbers”, stormed a cordoned site on Plot 1946, demanding to inspect an “illegal construction.” He found himself face-to-face with a dozen armed naval officers blocking the way, reportedly on “orders from above” .
In the tense confrontation, Wike’s unfiltered fury spilled out on camera. In one furious outburst captured in the viral video (below), the minister barks, “Shut up your mouth! … You are a big fool!” at the junior officer. The young naval lieutenant (Lt. A.M. Yerima) kept his composure: “I am not a fool, sir… I am a commissioned officer,” he replied . The clip which shows Wike jabbing a finger in the officer’s face while uniformed troops stand to attention has since racked up millions of views online, giving Nigerians a raw snapshot of power’s collision.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike (green cap) confronts soldiers at the barricaded Plot 1946, accusing them of “intimidating” his team. Military personnel form a human shield, preventing Wike’s demolition squad from entering .
The land at the center of this battle – Plot 1946 Gaduwa, is no ordinary real estate. It is allegedly linked to Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, a retired Chief of Naval Staff under President Buhari . FCT officials had already flagged the site for demolition: the Development Control Department reported it was “not allocated by the FCT Administration” and lacked building approval . In other words, by Abuja’s rules the structure shouldn’t even be there. As Wike’s team (including FCT police boss Miller Dantawaye) approached on Tuesday afternoon, the minister demanded paperwork. “Show me the document,” he shouted. The officer leading the cordon replied simply that “we are acting on orders”and official papers would be provided.
The exchange quickly escalated. Wike pressed, “This land does not belong to him; if you have a problem, come to my office.” The officer stood firm: “Sir, I am acting on instructions. I am a commissioned officer.” Wike snapped back, “Shut up your mouth! … You are a big fool!” . Undeterred, the officer calmly retorted, “I am not a fool, sir,”
In the heat of the moment, Wike even pulled out his phone to call the Chief of Defence Staff on speaker: “If not for the CDS, you would have killed everyone here,” he barked, accusing the soldiers of nearly resorting to violence . The standoff ended with Wike storming off in anger, telling reporters it was “really unfortunate” that soldiers were preventing lawful officials from doing their job .
The aftermath was swift and polarized. On the one hand, Wike doubled down on his crusade. He later told journalists that the FCT would “not allow lawlessness” and vowed to enforce every anti-encroachment order regardless of the owner’s rank . He accused the ex-Naval chief of using uniformed personnel as “shields” to intimidate ordinary citizens, and insisted the land “will not [be developed] simply because [its owner] was a former Chief of Naval Staff” . Wike’s office issued statements stressing that he had instructed officials to block any work without proper permits, and that the minister personally came to inspect the site after learning troops had “taken over” .
Yet the backlash was fierce. Retired Army chief Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai blasted the confrontation as “a palpable threat to national security and institutional integrity” . In a searing statement, he warned that Wike’s verbal assault on a junior officer “transcends mere misconduct,” undermining the chain of command and even disrespecting the Commander-in-Chief .
Buratai demanded a public apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Commander-in-Chief, the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria, and the specific officer whose honor was violated insisting that “our nation’s security must come first”.
At the same time, a wave of social media users and public figures cheered Lt. Yerima’s composure. Nollywood actress Yvonne Jegede hailed him as “the face of a new Nigeria,” thanking the young officer for “restoring hope” by refusing to be intimidated . On Twitter and Facebook, hundreds dissected the video frame by frame, praising Yerima’s discipline and criticizing Wike’s outburst.
Civil society voices likewise weighed in and some lawyers pointed out that under the law, any building without approval could be demolished, but land revocation is a different matter . Senior counsel Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) noted that the whole scene “could have been better managed,” warning that this was “one instance in which might has trumped officialdom.” Another lawyer, Jibrin Jibrin (SAN), said the dispute “could have been handled in a different manner,” following established legal processes rather than a public spectacle .
On X, #WikeVsMilitary trended, with clips dissecting Yerima's restraint amid the storm. Wike's aide Lere Olayinka hit back, framing it as a stand against "land mafia shields."
Yet, amid the roar, a sobering perspective cuts through: A minister of Wike's stature, serving the nation in such a high office should never let his guard slip to hurl insults at a military or naval officer, no matter the provocation.
The video lays it bare: Yerima kept his cool, voice steady even as barbs flew, embodying the discipline expected of uniform.
Whether the land's title was forged or flawless, it doesn't justify a leader portraying himself that way—eroding trust in the very institutions he upholds.
These matters demand maturity: a show of force through channels, or better yet, peaceful resolution via dialogue. Wike's bulldozer style has cleaned streets and curbed chaos, but when it veers into personal attacks, it risks alienating allies and amplifying divides. Leadership isn't just about winning the plot; it's about preserving the peace.
Legally, analysts note, there are clear protocols. If Plot 1946 was indeed never legally allocated, the FCT can demolish any unauthorized building on it . But a land deed – even if improperly obtained – can only be revoked after due process, and disputes over title are typically resolved in court or by presidential review. Bypassing those channels to personally commandeer a demolition squad, some lawyers point out, was unprecedented. Wike himself acknowledged that he’d called the Defence headquarters (the CDS and even the Chief of Naval Staff) to intervene – an odd escalation that underscores how high the tensions ran .
This isn’t Wike’s first brush with uniformed forces. As governor of oil-rich Rivers State (2015–2023), he frequently sparred with federal troops and police. During the violent 2019 elections he accused the Army of bias and even claimed a general had orders to kill him, reflecting a deep mistrust of military intervention . Now in Abuja he’s been a one-man demolition squad: banning commercial motorcycles (“okadas”), razing illegal shanties, and revoking hundreds of plots (even reportedly thousands of elite-held lots).
Yesterday's dust-up tests Tinubu's leash—will the president demand restraint, or let the minister's grit grind on?
As of today, no formal apology or escalation from the Navy. The site simmers, soldiers posted, Wike undeterred.
In Abuja's high-stakes game of dirt and deeds, this clash whispers a larger truth: Power unchecked frays the fabric it should fortify and perhaps it’s time to holster the hot words and dig into dialogue instead.
In defence of discipline and duty — the Nigerian Military reminds all that service to the nation stands above all else. Unshaken. Unbent. Unbroken.
A message of strength from Defence HQ — the Nigerian Military stands resolute posted on X hours after the dispute on DHQ Nigeria page