Pat Stevens/
A video circulating widely on social media shows the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, confronting a uniformed military officer at a disputed development at Plot 1946, Gaduwa, Abuja.
Officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration accompanying the minister say they were prevented from accessing the site by soldiers, and that no valid title documents or planning approvals were produced for the development.
The encounter, which has drawn intense public attention, prompted Wike to warn that the FCTA will enforce planning and land laws in the capital irrespective of status or rank.
In the footage, an exchange between the minister and the officer becomes increasingly heated. The transcript of the exchange is reproduced below:
Wike: “We are not here for confrontation … but I will not allow this to happen. The same way we enforce our laws in other areas is the same way it will be done here.”
Wike (angrily): “Because you are an officer? Nobody does that. The man took land because he was the Chief of Naval Staff?”
Officer (interrupting): “Sir, I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally.”
Wike: “You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.”
Officer: “I am not a fool sir.”
Wike: “Will you shut up!”
Officer: “I will not shut up.”
Wike: “You will see if you will not leave here. Go and develop there and let me see. 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 kpai everybody here.”
Wike told journalists he had spoken to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, who he said had assured him the matter would be resolved.
FCTA officials say the disputed parcel had no record of lawful allocation or building permits on file with the administration.
At the time of publication there had been no comprehensive public statement from the Nigerian Army addressing the specific allegations in the video.
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