Showdown as Wike, Former Service Chief trade words over alleged land grabbing in Abuja

A tense confrontation broke out on Tuesday at Plot 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja, as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, clashed with armed military officers allegedly guarding a disputed piece of land linked to retired Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, a former Chief of Naval Staff.

The incident occurred when officials of the FCT Administration (FCTA) arrived to enforce a demolition order on what was described as an unauthorised structure. Their operation, however, met stiff resistance from uniformed personnel stationed on the property.

Sources within the FCTA said the property had been flagged as part of the ongoing crackdown on illegal developments across the nation’s capital.

Former Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Gambo, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021, was named in reports as the alleged owner or beneficiary of the controversial plot.

The confrontation escalated when Minister Wike, accompanied by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, and senior officials, arrived at the site but was initially barred from entry by the armed personnel.

Despite orders to stand down, the officers, led by Naval Air Vice Marshal Yerima, resisted until Wike’s security team forced access to the area.

Visibly enraged, Wike described the development as a “clear case of land grabbing”, vowing that his administration would not bow to any form of intimidation, regardless of who was involved.

“Despite the military intimidation, I will not succumb or allow this land grabbing. It’s an illegality that must not stand,” Wike declared.

The Minister insisted that the developers had no approved title or permit, warning that due process must be respected in all land transactions within Abuja.

In defence, Air Vice Marshal Yerima maintained that his men were acting under “superior instructions” and that the documents pertaining to the property had been submitted to the relevant authorities for verification.

Yerima said, “This is not an illegal development. All documents have been forwarded to the officials in charge.”