Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), was involved in a tense confrontation with soldiers over a disputed parcel of land in Abuja.
A video circulating on social media shows the minister being stopped by military personnel from accessing the site, leading to a heated exchange between his security detail and the soldiers.
In the footage, Wike is seen stepping in to defuse the situation, separating his security detail from the soldiers as tempers flared.
Speaking with the officers, the minister demanded to see the approval granted to the “owners” of the land.
“Show me the documents you have. You have no documents. We cannot continue to act with such impunity,” Wike said.
”Where is the approval? This cannot go on. How is it that a man at his level cannot meet me, but instead sends soldiers to intimidate people? We are all from this country.
“If not for the Chief of Defence Staff, who just spoke to me, you would have had to kill everyone here. I am not someone you can intimidate.”
A soldier, who appeared to be the leader of the group, said the officers were not intimidating anyone, adding that the owner of the land has all the necessary documents.
“On the contrary, sir. We are not intimidating anybody. The papers are complete and he said he has submitted them.”
The incident has since sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians questioning the role of the military in the standoff, and calling for clarity on the ownership and status of the contested land.
