The Minister of the Federal capital territory Nyesom Wike, (FCT), has condemned the purportedly unlawful expropriation of a disputed plot of land in Abuja by military officers allegedly acting on the orders of a former chief of naval staff.
On Tuesday, videos surfaced online showing Wike in a heated altercation with a military official at a site.
According to the Minister in a statement after the incident, he visited the location following reports that soldiers had driven away officials of the FCT administration’s department of development control.
“You are aware that the land departments and the development control have the mandate to monitor illegal development and land grabbing,” Wike said.
“When this was brought to my attention, I instructed them to ensure that nothing takes place there, as there were no legal documents—no regional approval, no valid acquisition.”
The minister explained that while FCTA officials were at the site to enforce his directive, they were allegedly forced out by armed soldiers.
“I was informed that the soldiers of the military had to chase them away, and I thought they were acting illegally,” Wike said.
“Today, while I was in the office, I was called again that the military had taken over the place. I had to come myself to see things. It’s really unfortunate,” he said.
Wike said the government would not tolerate acts of intimidation against its staff, adding that due processes must be followed irrespective of social status.
“I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position cannot approach my office to say, ‘Look, this is what is going on.’ But simply because he’s a military man, he thinks he can use that to intimidate Nigerians. I am not one of those that will succumb to blackmail or intimidation,” he said.
The minister further said the individuals occupying the land could not present any valid papers when asked to do so.
