The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reacted to the viral video showing a heated confrontation between FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, and armed naval officers, expressing deep regret over the incident while firmly maintaining that the disputed property in Gaduwa District of FCT constituted illegal development.
Speaking to journalists after Thursday’s FCT Executive Committee meeting, some senior FCTA staff gave a detailed account of the incidents, stating that the claimants linked to former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd) possessed no legal title to the land.
The director of the Department of Development Control, Tpl Mukhtar Galadima, opened with a formal apology to the FCT Minister for Tuesday’s confrontation.
“It is with a sense of commitment, emotion and regret that we address this press conference on the incident that happened on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Gaduwa District,” Galadima stated.
He explained that on October 17, staff members conducting routine monitoring observed some ongoing activity along the Southern Parkway corridor.
When they approached to request the required approval status and supporting documents, they were met with stiff resistance, including threats of being shot by personnel of the Nigerian Navy.
According to him, it was only after diplomatic intervention that the officers produced documents, which Galadima later described as grossly inadequate.
“What was eventually provided was merely a letter of intent issued in 2007 by the Department of Parks and Recreation, not a formal approval,” he stated.
Galadima said he told the site officer, “I said, as a lawyer, there is a clear difference between submission and approval, and you know it is illegal to commence development in the Federal Capital Territory without approval.
He said he is aware, but the solution is under process. I said, then this development is illegal.”
He also justified his decision to invite Wike to the site because of the safety of the officials.
“We noticed the impending danger because armed men were strategically positioned, ready to shoot. And seeing this, I sent a distress call to the Honourable Minister.
“I want to sincerely apologise to the Honourable Minister for dragging him into this situation. I apologise to the Honourable Minister, indeed to all Nigerians for what happened,” Galadima said.
Also speaking, the director of Lands Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, gave a legal context, saying, “The claimants have relied on a letter of intent issued by the Department of Parks and Recreation in 2007, 18 years ago.
“Letter of intent, not statutory right of occupancy. I wish to make it clear that in the FCT, the only thing that gives you title to land is statutory right of occupancy. Letter of intent is not a title.”
According to him, the claimants failed to meet basic conditions, noting they “did not develop and complete development on the site within one year as required.
“Beyond not having title, in Abuja you cannot build anything without approval of the plans you submitted to ascertain that what you propose to develop is in line with the dictates of the master plan,” he said.
While regretting the public confrontation, the officials insisted that their enforcement action was both justified and necessary to uphold the FCT Act of 1976 and the Urban and Regional Planning Law of 1992, which are crucial for protecting the integrity of Abuja’s master plan.
Some Nigerians have been calling on President Tinubu to sack Wike following the face-off with the military officers and his conduct.
However, some have also called on the president to equally met out punishment to Lt. Ahmed Yerima for undermining civilian authority.
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