Wike’s confrontation with Naval officer endangers national security — Buratai

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), has cautioned that the confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a Nigerian Navy officer in Abuja constitutes “a clear and present danger to national security,” urging the Federal Government to take swift corrective measures.

In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, Buratai said Wike’s behaviour during the altercation “transcends mere misconduct” and “undermines the authority of the Commander-in-Chief and the integrity of the Armed Forces.”

The clash, which reportedly took place at Plot 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja, was linked to a dispute over ownership and development rights of a parcel of land allegedly associated with a former Chief of Naval Staff.

Wike, accompanied by senior officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), had visited the property to halt what he described as “illegal construction” when he confronted a naval officer said to be overseeing the site.

In a viral video, the minister was seen questioning the officer’s authority and insisting that no one, regardless of rank or position, was above the law.

“You are in uniform, and you’re telling me that the Navy owns this land? Who gave you the right to build without approval? Even if you are the Chief of Naval Staff, the law must be respected,” Wike was heard saying in the clip.

The unnamed officer reportedly told the minister that the land belonged to a former service chief and that the military had approval to secure it.

Reacting to the development, Buratai described Wike’s public rebuke of a uniformed officer as “a reckless act that strikes at the core of Nigeria’s command and control structure.”

He said, “A minister’s verbal assault on a military officer in uniform is an act of profound indiscipline that strikes at the very foundation of our national security apparatus. It is not political theatre—it is a reckless endangerment of national order.”

Buratai further added, “This action by Wike is clearly an indication of undermining the Federal Government’s authority. It disrespects the Commander-in-Chief and wounds the morale of every officer who serves under the Nigerian flag.”

The retired general, who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021, urged President Bola Tinubu to address the matter urgently, describing it as a national security concern.

He stated, “Barrister Nyesom Wike must tender an immediate and unequivocal public apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Commander-in-Chief, to the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and to the specific officer whose honour was violated. The integrity of our Armed Forces demands nothing less. Our nation’s security must come first. It is time for decisive action, not politics of military bashing.”

Meanwhile, activist Omoyele Sowore, in a post on his X handle, faulted the military’s involvement in the matter, saying the incident reflected misplaced priorities among public officials.

He wrote, “The military’s primary responsibility is to safeguard the country’s borders, but instead, it is devoting resources to protect a parcel of land for a high-ranking officer, allegedly acting on ‘orders.’ This pathetic scenario is the pervasive self-interest among officials who cater to the interests of a privileged minority at the expense of national protection, with @GovWike not being an exception.”

Defending Wike’s actions, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, condemned the naval officer’s behaviour, saying it was symptomatic of deeper corruption.

“What this small boy displayed today has a million meanings. Who sent him on this horrible mission? I am running away with the thinking that those lands were stolen. Take him out of the military as soon as possible. He represents evil,” Igbokwe wrote.

Also reacting, legal expert Prof. Sebastine Hon stated that the naval officer’s actions violated existing laws, stressing that no regulation permits military personnel to guard private property. He added that as FCT Minister, Wike holds delegated presidential powers over land administration within Abuja.