Tension in Abuja as Soldiers Block Wike from Accessing Land in Gaduwa

Soldiers block FCT Minister Wike from accessing Gaduwa land.
Wike accuses military of intimidation and unlawful land control.
Minister vows to challenge illegal allocation under his administration.

A heated confrontation erupted on Tuesday in Abuja after soldiers prevented the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and his entourage from accessing a parcel of land in the Gaduwa district.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the incident began when armed soldiers stopped the former Rivers State governor from entering the site, prompting one of his aides to protest.

“This is unprofessional. You cannot be threatening a minister like this,” the official told the soldiers.

Visibly angered, Wike questioned the military officers for blocking access, insisting that no one is above the law.

“You have no document,” the minister said, alleging that due process was not followed in the development of the land.

“We cannot continue to act in impunity. We cannot continue this way. This country cannot go along this line. You cannot be higher than any government. You cannot be carrying a gun to intimidate anybody. I am not one of those that they can intimidate,” Wike declared.

After the exchange, Wike accused the soldiers of acting unlawfully, insisting that the Federal Capital Territory Administration had no record showing the land was legally allocated. He vowed to challenge the development under his administration, adding that intimidation would not be tolerated.

“It’s really unfortunate. And you heard what was said by the former Chief of Staff. I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position, seeing that he has a problem, cannot approach my office to say, ‘Look, this is what’s going on,’ or simply because he is a military man, they could use that to intimidate Nigerians. I’m not one of those kinds of people who will succumb to blackmail,” Wike said.

Tension in Abuja as Soldiers Block FCT Minister Wike from Accessing Land in Gaduwa

Despite the minister’s objections, the soldiers refused to vacate the land, insisting they were acting on the directives of a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo.