There was a mild drama in Abuja when some Nigerian soldiers allegedly prevented the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from accessing a parcel of land.
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In a viral video circulating on Tuesday, the former Rivers State governor was seen engaging in a heated exchange while attempting to calm security operatives who were confronting each other at the scene.
“You send soldiers to intimidate who? We are all from this country. If not for the CDS who spoke to me now, you would have to kill everybody here. I’m not one of those that you can intimidate,” Wike said in anger.
The ownership of the land remains unclear as of press time. The incident, however, follows recent enforcement actions by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which fined several Abuja property owners ₦5 million each for converting residential buildings to commercial use without approval.
In a public notice published on September 8, 2025, the FCTA gave affected property owners 30 days to regularise their titles. The directive affected areas such as Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Garki.
The notice read partly: “All affected allottees or holders of properties who, without approval, converted the land use of their properties are hereby given thirty (30) days to pay a penalty/violation fee of five million naira (₦5,000,000.00).”
There was mild tension in Abuja on Tuesday when the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, clashed with a soldier who prevented him from accessing a disputed property.
In a viral video, Wike was seen in a heated exchange with the officer, who insisted that those working on the site had the proper documents.
The encounter quickly turned confrontational as the minister accused the soldiers of attempting to intimidate government officials carrying out their duties.
I’m a minister — you can’t tell me you have a document! We can’t continue to live in a country where everyone hides behind immunity. Where’s your approval? We can’t go on like this,” Wike said.
He added, “You sent soldiers to intimidate who? We are the hope of this country and this government. You can’t be higher than the government. You can’t carry guns and intimidate people. If not for the Chief of Defence Staff who spoke to me, you could have killed everyone here. I’m not one of those you can intimidate.”
However, the naval officer pushed back, denying that they were intimidating anyone.
“On the contrary, sir, we are not intimidating anyone. It was the engineer who mobilised workers to the site, along with FCTDA staff, who came to threaten them in defiance of an order,” he said.
The situation grew tense when the officer insisted that the building papers were complete, prompting Wike to demand proof.
“Are you the one to say the papers are complete? Show me that the government gave you this place. Show me your approval to build here. This has nothing to do with being a vice admiral or lieutenant general. We must all work according to the law,” Wike retorted.
Moments later, the confrontation nearly turned physical when the officer pointed at a Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCTDA) director as the recipient of the documents — a claim the official denied. In the confusion, Wike was briefly pushed aside before order was restored.
When the tension eased, Wike confronted the officer again, calling him “a fool,” to which he firmly replied, “I am not a fool. I am an officer, and I’m only obeying orders.”
Angered, Wike shot back, “Shut up! When I was in school, by the time I graduated, you were not even in primary school. You’re a big fool.” The officer stood his ground, responding, “I am not a fool, I am an officer, and I won’t shut up.”
The disputed property is believed to be among those recently marked by the FCTA for violating land-use regulations.
The minister had earlier given property owners 30 days to regularise their titles or pay penalties for converting residential buildings to commercial use without approval.
Do you think government officials and security agencies handle property disputes in the best way possible? Let’s know your views in the comment section.
Watch here:
“You send soldiers to intimidate who? We are all from this country. If not for the CDS who spoke to me now, you would have to kill everybody here. I’m not one of those that you can intimidate.”
– Wike said as the drama unfolded with soldiers stopping him from entering the land. pic.twitter.com/bQstty3BKW
— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) November 11, 2025
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