By : Helen Chinasaokwu Okoro
We’ll Protect Our Men on Lawful Duty” — Defence Minister Backs Naval Officer in Clash with FCT Minister Wike
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has thrown his weight behind military officers performing their lawful duties, following the recent altercation between a naval officer and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over a disputed parcel of land in Abuja.
Speaking on Wednesday, November 12, during the ministerial briefing to flag off the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations at the National Defence College, Abuja, Abubakar said that no officer who acts within the law would be victimized under his watch.
“Let me make it clear that at the Ministry, and indeed in the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty,” the Defence Minister declared. “We are looking into this issue, and I assure you that any officer on lawful duty will be highly protected. We will not allow anything to happen to him so far as he is doing his job — and doing it diligently.”
The Defence Minister’s comments come amid rising tensions following a confrontation between Wike and a naval officer, identified as Lt. A. M. Yerima, on Tuesday, November 11, in Abuja.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred when Wike, accompanied by officials from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), arrived at a disputed plot of land allegedly belonging to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (rtd). The FCT Minister reportedly ordered that ongoing work on the site be halted, insisting that the property was irregularly acquired.
However, the naval officer, acting on what he described as a “lawful order,” blocked Wike and his entourage from accessing the site. The officer reportedly maintained that he was under instructions to protect the property until the ownership dispute was resolved.
The standoff quickly escalated into a heated exchange, with Wike allegedly berating the officer for “challenging his authority” as Minister of the FCT. Witnesses said the confrontation drew the attention of onlookers and security aides, who intervened to prevent the situation from spiraling further.
The episode has since sparked widespread debate about the limits of ministerial authority, the autonomy of the Armed Forces, and the sanctity of lawful orders within Nigeria’s security structure.
In response to growing concerns that the naval officer might face disciplinary action for confronting a serving minister, a coalition of retired military veterans issued a stern warning. The veterans, under the banner of the Coalition of Concerned Veterans, vowed to “mobilize and occupy” the FCT Ministry should Lt. Yerima face any form of punishment for obeying military directives.
“Our members are ready to defend any officer who acts on lawful orders,” the group’s spokesperson said. “We will not stand by and watch political figures intimidate or humiliate our serving personnel.”
Minister Badaru’s assurance appears aimed at dousing such tensions and reaffirming the military’s institutional integrity. By publicly defending officers on lawful duty, the Defence Minister signaled the government’s intent to prevent political interference in military operations and to protect the morale of service members.
Security analysts say the Defence Minister’s statement underscores the delicate balance between civilian oversight and military discipline. “The military must obey civil authority, but lawful orders and command hierarchy are sacrosanct,” one analyst noted. “If officers acting lawfully are punished to appease politicians, it will erode discipline and confidence in the chain of command.”
As investigations continue into the disputed land and the events surrounding the confrontation, both ministries — Defence and FCT — are expected to collaborate to ensure the matter is resolved amicably and in accordance with the law.
For now, the Defence Minister’s firm stance appears to have calmed what could have become a wider civil-military standoff, with Abubakar reiterating: “Our men and women in uniform will not be left vulnerable while performing their duties. The nation must stand by those who serve it lawfully.”
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