Wike Sets the Record Straight: ‘I Know the Rules of the Military’ — Minister Clarifies Viral Clash With Naval Officer Over Abuja Land Dispute

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has moved to clear the air following the widespread circulation of a video showing a heated confrontation between him and a naval officer on a disputed parcel of land in Abuja. The incident, which quickly ignited online conversations and fueled a wave of reactions across the country, raised questions about civil–military relations, protocol, and the limits of authority in matters involving land enforcement. But in a fresh clarification, Wike insists the public got it wrong — and he is now setting the record straight.

Speaking at a press conference held in Abuja, the former Rivers State governor addressed the statements attributed to him in the viral footage. According to Wike, his remarks were never intended to insult the Nigerian military as an institution, nor were they targeted at the Armed Forces as a whole. Instead, he described the moment as one of frustration directed at what he termed “illegal actions” by the naval personnel present at the site. The minister emphasized that he has too much respect for military rules and hierarchy to speak in derogatory terms about the institution.

“Some people will say I said ‘the boy, you are a f%%l.’ What I meant was this — you can’t be carrying out an illegal order. That’s what I meant,” Wike told reporters, stressing that his words were directed at the officer’s conduct, not his uniform. “I didn’t say ‘military, you are a f++l.’ I wouldn’t have said that. I wouldn’t have. I know the rule of the military.”

The controversy began when Wike visited a parcel of land that had reportedly been a subject of ongoing dispute. The FCT authorities had moved to enforce certain regulations regarding the property, but to Wike’s surprise, naval personnel were stationed there and allegedly resisted the administration’s directives. In the video, the minister can be seen challenging the officer’s presence, questioning the legality of the deployment, and expressing displeasure at what he viewed as an obstruction of lawful administrative action.

As expected, the video triggered intense public discourse. Many Nigerians wondered whether Wike’s comments crossed the line, whether the officer acted beyond his authority, and what the dispute signified for the broader issue of land administration in the Federal Capital Territory. The minister’s decision to address the matter publicly appears aimed at cooling rising tensions and countering the narrative that he had insulted the military.

Wike reinforced his commitment to due process, saying the FCT Administration would not fold its arms where public property is being encroached upon or where legal procedures are being undermined. He maintained that the administration has a responsibility to protect both government land and the city’s master plan, regardless of who might be involved. “We will continue to intervene wherever public property or legal procedures are being undermined,” he declared, noting that Abuja must remain a city governed by law, not force.

However, the conversation has taken a new twist following reactions from the military hierarchy. The Minister of Defence has openly backed the naval officer in question, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, praising his conduct and insisting that he acted appropriately in the line of duty. This endorsement has added another layer to the unfolding drama, leaving the public to weigh two contrasting interpretations from two high-ranking officials.

While Wike maintains the officer was executing an illegal order, the Defence Minister suggests the officer was right — implying that the naval presence at the site may have had legitimate grounds. The Defence Minister’s support for Yerima has stirred further debate, with observers now asking whether there may be deeper institutional disagreements at play or whether the issue is a simple misunderstanding magnified by public scrutiny.

What remains clear is that the Abuja land dispute has now evolved beyond a mere confrontation captured on video. It has triggered discussions about jurisdiction, enforcement powers, inter-agency relationships, and the fragile balance between civil authority and military compliance. Abuja, being the nation’s capital, is no stranger to land controversies, but seldom do such disputes become flashpoints involving top officials and uniformed personnel.

For many Nigerians, the incident also reflects broader frustrations about land allocation, enforcement inconsistency, and the occasional overlap of institutional mandates. Some commentators have argued that the altercation highlights the need for clearer boundaries between civil administration and military operations, particularly in non-combat contexts like land enforcement. Others believe the situation has been exaggerated and that both parties simply reacted to the heat of the moment.

Still, Wike’s clarification has done little to quell curiosity about what truly transpired on that disputed land. Was the naval officer deployed legitimately? Was there a misunderstanding between the FCT Administration and the Navy? Or was this a deeper conflict over authority disguised as a land matter? Neither side has offered full details, leaving room for speculation and ongoing debate.

As Wike continues to defend his stance and the Defence Minister stands firmly behind Lieutenant Yerima, Nigerians are watching closely for the next development. What many expect now is a formal investigation or a coordinated statement between the two ministries to clarify institutional positions and avoid sending conflicting signals to the public. After all, both the military and the FCT Administration are critical arms of governance, and any perception of conflict between them risks undermining public confidence.

For now, Wike stands by his assertion that his controversial words were misunderstood. He insists he did not insult the military — he criticized illegality. And as Abuja grapples with yet another land dispute making headlines, the nation is reminded once again that in the capital city, even a single plot of land can ignite a storm that stretches far beyond the soil it sits on.

Whether the dust will settle soon remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Nigerians will keep watching, waiting, and debating — because in a country where land, power, and authority often intersect, no confrontation is ever just what it seems.