A major controversy erupted in Abuja yesterday, as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, clashed with Nigerian military officers over an alleged illegal occupation and development of a disputed 30-hectare property in the Gaduwa District.
Wike, who personally led an FCT task force to the site, accused the soldiers of land grabbing and harassment of officials from the Department of Development Control. The officials had reportedly been chased away from the site earlier by armed military personnel.
“I will not succumb to blackmail or intimidation”, Wike declared during a tense on-site exchange captured in a viral video. “They have no legal documents or building approval. We cannot allow lawlessness to prevail simply because someone once held a top military position”, he stated.
According to the Minister, the soldiers claimed to be acting on the orders of a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd). Wike said the military had no authority to occupy the land without proper documentation, noting that he had already discussed the issue with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, who assured him that the situation would be peacefully resolved.
However, fresh revelations suggest the confrontation may be part of a deeper dispute over revoked land allocations. A legal practitioner involved in the matter alleged that the contested 30-hectare plot—originally allocated to serving and retired military officers—was recently revoked by the FCT Administration and reallocated to individuals linked to Wike’s political circle.
The lawyer claimed that one of the new beneficiaries is the current Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Sam Amupitan, among other associates of the Minister. “The revocation and redistribution were carried out in total disregard of due process and existing approvals”, the source said, adding that the land, initially designated as a park and recreation area, was converted to multi-purpose use before new Rights of Occupancy were issued.
Documents from the FCT Department of Parks and Recreation indicate that Plot 1946, measuring about 31 hectares, was subdivided in 2007 and committed to various organisations for park development. The lawyer alleged that Wike later ignored official memos recommending approval for the earlier allottees and instead issued fresh allocations.
The situation reportedly escalated when Wike arrived at the site with about 50 armed police officers and bulldozers to halt construction activities, prompting resistance from the military personnel on ground.
Reacting to the incident, former lawmaker Shehu Sani commended Wike for his performance in the FCT but cautioned him against “doing stunts with soldiers”. In a post on his X handle, Sani wrote: “Wike is doing an excellent job in Abuja but should not be encouraged to do this kind of stunt with soldiers”.
The FCT Administration (FCTA) has since sealed the disputed site pending investigation and presentation of valid ownership documents. Meanwhile, the military authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the confrontation, even as tensions remain high over what has now become one of Abuja’s most politically charged land disputes.
