By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
There was tension in Abuja on Tuesday when Navy officer stopped the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from gaining access to a disputed plot of land in the Gaduwa area of the city.
Wike, who was on an inspection visit alongside officials of the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCDA), was reportedly barred from entering the site by armed soldiers (Navy officer) stationed there.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers, acting on “orders from above,” resisted the minister’s directive to open the gate, leading to a heated exchange between the troops and Wike’s team.
The visibly angry minister condemned the action, describing it as “impunity against constituted authority” and an attempt to undermine civil power.
“You cannot use a gun to intimidate the government. We will not allow impunity in Abuja. Nobody is above the law,” Wike was quoted as saying.
A video clip of the confrontation, which went viral on Tuesday, captured the minister in a tense verbal exchange with one of the officers who insisted he was acting on instructions.
“I am an officer; I have integrity,” the soldier was heard saying, to which Wike retorted angrily: “Shut up your mouth! You are a big fool!”
Sources told our correspondent that the land in question is allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (rtd.), who is said to have deployed the soldiers to prevent access to the property.
Wike accused the retired naval chief of using the military to obstruct government operations instead of seeking peaceful resolution through proper channels.
“It is unfortunate that someone who once served as Chief of Naval Staff cannot approach my office to resolve matters but would rather use soldiers to intimidate officials,” the minister said.
As of press time, military authorities were yet to comment on the incident.
The confrontation has heightened tension between the FCT Administration and the military, with calls mounting for presidential intervention to prevent a repeat of such incidents in the future.