VIDEO: Wike Confronts Soldier In Uniform Over Land-Grabbing Allegation

14 Comments

1. 

   Shonibare Daniella

   November 13, 2025 at 6:14 pm

   The recent Nyesom Wike saga in Abuja , captured on a viral video has sparked intense public debate about authority, land rights and conduct. This reaction briefly considers the facts, tone and wider implications.
   The video shows Wike arguing with a uniformed officer about entering a piece of land. Many people reacted quickly online and in the news.
   I feel worried because soldiers should not be used in normal land fights. The video makes people focus on the drama instead of the rules.
   The main problems are clear: soldiers being used for non-security matters, powerful people using influence, and weak checks on those in charge. These problems hurt trust. Wike misused his authority by acting like force and intimidation were acceptable tools. A public official should follow proper steps and use official channels, not push people around in public.
   personally, the saga shows that people lose confidence when leaders act like they are above the rules. It also shows we need clearer steps for handling land and respect between officers and civilians.
   In short, the Wike incident is more than a brief argument it tests our institutions. To build trust, authorities must follow the rules, hold people responsible, and treat everyone fairly.

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2. 

   Fasesin-Gbolahan Setofunmi

   November 13, 2025 at 5:44 pm

   There are better ways to solve the issue of the landed property and that’s why we have a Court room. Wike, who is a lawyer should know better .
   Both parties were wrong, the manner of approach that wike displaced was out of bound and Let’s not forget that we’re not in a military regime anymore . Nigerian law prohibits military interference in land matters or debt collection.
   The Navy’s actions are illegal and should be condemned. Nobody is above the law, and the land should be revoked as a deterrent.. The owner of the land obviously knew that wike was coming for that land and by so, he sent the military to protect the land when the government has full ownership of it which it isn’t meant to be so .
   The Faceoff between Wike and The Military Man shows that the minister of the federal capital territory lacks emotional intelligence. In the first instance, the status which wike has attained, he is not meant to leave his post to come and fight over trivial matters when he can always send a representative to oversee such matters .
   Nigeria Deserves better, we deserve a better minister because clearly The Honourable minister needs to work on himself. As a Minister, you are funded by tax payers and you must RESPECT everybody regardless of their age or status.
   In a nutshell, President Tinubu is in a tight spot in this current issue and Nigerians await his response. The best way to resolve this matter and not to ponder on it further is to impeach the minister of the federal capital territory.

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3. 

   Okoro Nneka Maureen

   November 13, 2025 at 3:21 pm

   The misunderstanding between federal capital minister, Nyesom Wike and Lt.A.m Yerima over land grabbing allegation was not a good one.

   A well respected figure, a minister at that shouldn’t be found exchanging words with Lt.Yerima,a youth soldier. It is shameful. though, he made a good point.

   It was considered unbecoming for a higher-ranking minister to engage in a verbal exchange with Lt.Yerima, a young soldier. The confrontation appeared unfortunate, even though the minister raised a valid argument.

   I support Yerima for maintaining his integrity and did not act as a coward, he maintained his steez.

   I commend his courage and integrity. It shows he is well trained. He acted maturely for his age.

   Wike, with his education qualification should learn how to choose his word and control his temper. There are better ways to handle controversies.

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4. 

   Agboola Adedoyin Oluwatobi

   November 13, 2025 at 2:27 pm

   This argument between Wike and the Officer is a conflict in perception.
   Wike was proving to him that a property cannot be illegally obtained by an ordinary person talkless of an officer.
   The officer on the other hand is proving that he acquired it legally.
   I feel that both parties don’t understand each other and are trying to express their powers.
   I feel that Wike deserves a national apology.
   I feel that the naval Officer deserves an apology for disrespect of his uniform because it can cause a threat to national security.

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5. 

   Soyemi A. Soyinka

   November 13, 2025 at 12:19 pm

   It is a clear indication that the Minister of FCT, Yisome Wike lacks emotional intelligence, such that is expected of a senior public officer. He conducted himself in a way and manner that not only showcase how bad he manages his emotions especially in a moment of anger.

   Every public officer is expected to operate and be govern by the rules and the code of ethics & conduct. Where there are none in place, then disgraceful character of this nature are bound to be repeated over and over again.

   While the Minister claimed that he was there to stop the construction, because the property title has not been properly documented with the required Land Authority, he also ought to have known better that the best way to have addressed such was to seek a redress in a court of competent jurisdiction, not by self-help.

   The way and manner at which a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was using derogatory and abusive statements was totally uncalled for, and he should not only be cautioned but be make to tender a public apology.

   The Minister’s comments has only showcase the Military in a bad light. Such comments are not only demotivational to the other serving Military officers but also can be view in that same bad light by the international communities.

   In conclusion, the Public officials, especially the political appointees of government should be made to account for every of their actions, punish when required as to serve as deterrent to others.

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6. 

   Seth Ebube Ozoemenam

   November 13, 2025 at 12:19 pm

   The altercation that happened here clearly showed the officer was acting on instructions.
   In a democratic country like ours,its easy to criticize the behaivour of the officer forgetting every officer obeys the last order whether it is favourable or not.
   However, i commend the courage, discipline and composure of the young army officer even in the heat of the argument.
   Leadership is not by intimidation, shouting or exuding power over her citizens but by wisdom.The minister’s verbal assault to the military in uniform is actually an act of profound indiscipline. It also shows disrespect and no regards for everyone who is serving under the Nigerian authority in uniform.
   Every serving uniformed officer is protected by law and their dignity and authority must be protected. This needs to be addressed so that serving public officers wont disregard other uniformed officers.
   Also, going by contitution, Mr Wike was carrying out a legal duty because as a sitting minister, he has power over land administration in Abuja as all powers with respect to land administration in FCT has been delegated to him.
   Hence,the naval officer is not backed by law to stop him from accessing the land. This also, needs to be addressed.

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7. 

   Olaitan Olaide Olagunju

   November 13, 2025 at 12:14 pm

   The minister for FCT ought to know that military obeys the last order.
   Except for an intervention from the President can make a military man abort a mission.
   Wike should have just done the needful by calling the chief Naval personel in the first place,rather than exchanging words with a young military officer.
   Although, I feel the military guy too should have at list showed some respect to Wike,as a minister and as an elder.
   Both parties are wrong as they’re been power drunk.
   If Nigeria truly has a working system, then,the law should take it’s cause

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8. 

   Damilola Agbede

   November 13, 2025 at 12:11 pm

   Wike and the officer Yerima; this is a case of national embarrassment and unruly representation of the country.

   Both are constituted authorities but didn’t allow the art of separation of powers.

   Nigeria is in a lot of trouble as this gives the country a very bad representation as it’s a case of national embarrassment.

   The officer acted under all conditions of being modest and composed, a very well represented Nigerian Army. But Wike on the other hand is a minister but very emotional and lack ethical standards to represent the country.

   Better Nigeria is needed from the leaders to the citizens

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9. 

   Ojolo Nneka Anita

   November 13, 2025 at 12:01 pm

   Wike, Naval officer clash – classism at play

   Looking at what happened between the Minister of FCT, Wike, and the naval officer, it would have been settled amicably, if there was no power play involved.

   According to the information gathered, the land was allocated to all retired senior military officers.

   This is to say there is a class struggle or personal rancour between the owner of the land and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

   Before the viral clash, it was said that the staff of the FCTA had gone there to stop the ongoing work on the site, but this prompted the retired officer to deploy his men to the site.

   My take on this is that Min. Wike, should have reached out to the Nigerian Navy Service chief to call for a meeting between the two parties, but due to his arrogant political lifestyle of grandstanding and seeing himself as the untouchable, he resulted to verbal abuse, which is so unnecessary for a person who is a respected public servant in the country.

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10. 

    Dickson Chinma Ihejirika ( Mrs)

    November 13, 2025 at 8:33 am

    When I first saw the video of Nyesom Wike confronting the military man in Abuja, I honestly felt both shocked and uneasy. It’s not something that one expected to see .Wow! a government minister arguing face-to-face with a soldier over land made me wonder how easily power clashes can play out in the Nigerian context.

    To be fair, Wike’s boldness caught my attention. In a country where people often complain about land grabbing, his reaction seemed like a stand for accountability.

    He sounded like a man who did not want anyone, not even the military, to take advantage of his position.
    But at the same time, the way he spoke felt too harsh for someone in his position. Leadership, to me, should come with calm and control, even in the face of provocation. The shouting match made the whole thing look more like a street argument than an official inspection.

    I also felt for the soldier. He looked caught between following orders and trying not to disrespect a minister. That quiet restraint spoke volumes. It showed discipline, even when the situation was clearly uncomfortable for him.

    This whole scene says a lot about how fragile our institutions are. When a land dispute turns into a public clash between a minister and the military, it tells you that the system is not as coordinated as it should be. Everyone seems to be working on their own rules.

    In the end, I think both sides could have handled it better. Wike had a point, but the tone could have been softer. The soldier did his best to stay calm, but the situation shouldn’t have happened in the first place. For me, it is a reminder that power must always be balanced with respect; and that’s something every leader and officer should remember.

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11. 

    Ajibola Osungbohun,

    November 13, 2025 at 7:04 am

    Wike, Navy officer, class struggle among the elite class

    Looking at what transpired between the Minister of FCT, Wike, and the naval officer, it would have been settled amicably.

    According to the information gathered, the land was allocated to all retired senior military officers.

    This is to say there is a class struggle or personal rancour between the owner of the land and Wike.

    Before the viral clash, it was said that the staff of the FCTA had gone there to stop the ongoing work on the site, but this prompted the retired officer to deploy his men to the site.

    My take on this is that Wike should have done, rather than reach out to the Nigerian Navy Service chief, to call for a meeting between the two parties. Still, due to his arrogant political lifestyle of grandstanding and seeing himself as the untouchable, he resulted in verbal abuse, which is so uncultured for a person as a respected public servant in the country.

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12. 

    Mohammed Aminu Yahaya

    November 13, 2025 at 5:35 am

    while Wike’s message may have been right, his method was another story entirely
    What began as an ordinary enforcement visit but quickly escalated into a national conversation. Wike, known for his bold and often unfiltered approach to leadership, confronted a naval officer stationed at a disputed plot of land in Abuja. The minister accused the military of illegal occupation, questioning how armed personnel could guard property without valid documentation. His message was clear: no one, not even men in uniform, should stand above the law. And truth be told, he wasn’t wrong. Abuja’s history of land racketeering and abuse of development regulations is well documented, and the minister’s insistence on due process resonates with anyone who values accountability.
    WHILE WIKE’S MESSAGE MAY HAVE BEEN RIGHT, HIS METHOD WAS SOMETHING ELSE
    But while Wike’s message may have been right, his method was another story entirely. The video clip showing him publicly berating a young officer in uniform struck a nerve with many Nigerians. His language was harsh, his tone domineering — a scene that reeked more of power flexing than law enforcement. That uniform, after all, isn’t just cloth; it symbolizes service, sacrifice, and national duty. To humiliate its wearer publicly — especially one acting under superior orders — was a misstep that tarnished what could have been a strong stand for law and order. Small wonder veteran groups and citizens alike demanded that the minister apologize for what they saw as verbal misconduct unbecoming of his office.

    Still, the naval officer’s stance was not spotless either. Even if he was merely following instructions, the presence of armed personnel at a civilian construction site raises red flags. Should the military be involved in land protection at all? What does it say about institutional boundaries when guns are used to guard plots of land in a capital city already riddled with regulatory breaches? The officer may have displayed restraint during the altercation, but his mere presence reinforced the uncomfortable truth: Nigeria’s Armed Forces sometimes find themselves entangled in matters far outside their constitutional purview.

    When stripped of emotion, both men’s actions reveal the deeper fault lines of Nigerian governance — the fragile relationship between civil authority and military influence. Wike’s passion for order collided head-on with the naval institution’s deep-seated pride in hierarchy and command. One acted as a custodian of law, the other as a defender of obedience. Yet, in the noise of confrontation, both momentarily forgot that leadership, in whatever uniform it wears, demands composure and respect. The minister’s duty was to enforce; the officer’s duty was to obey — but both shared a higher duty to model civility.

    The bigger issue here is institutional culture. Nigeria has spent decades trying to balance civilian control with military heritage. We praise strong leadership but often forget that strength without restraint breeds chaos. The minister’s defense of the law was noble, but his words undercut his message. The officer’s obedience was commendable, but his deployment blurred lines that must remain clear. Both acted in good faith, perhaps, but neither acted perfectly.

    In the final analysis, the Wike–Naval officer incident should not be treated as another social media spectacle, but as a moment of reflection. We must ask ourselves: what kind of leadership do we reward — one that shouts the loudest, or one that stands firm yet respectful? The rule of law is non-negotiable, but so is human dignity. Our leaders must learn that power expressed without restraint weakens the very institutions it seeks to protect. Nigeria deserves a system where ministers enforce laws with humility, and soldiers serve the nation with clarity of purpose — not confusion of roles. Only then can power and uniform coexist without collision.

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13. 

    Aderonke Abiodun

    November 13, 2025 at 5:22 am

    The federal capital territory(FCT) minister, Nymeson Wike, is acutely aware that the plot of land in question owned by the former chief of naval staff, vice admiral AZ Gambo, with the accusation of a young officer of illegally taking possession of a parcel of land.

    The officer lieutenant A.M. Yerima, who claimed to be acting on order from a former chief of naval staff, stood his ground and insisting that the acquisition was lawful and standing up to the minister, Wike shows integrity and professionalism in the face of authority.

    The incident has raised concerns about institutional disorder and abuse of power in Nigeria, while it is an embarrassment and a reflection of the country growing institutional disorder.

    This incident highlight the need for accountability and respect for the rule of law in Nigeria.

    Minister wike could have chosen to embody the role of a compassionate and understanding figure to address the young officer rather than resorting to harsh and confrontational language, he could have engage with the former chief of naval officer for confirmations and work toward a resolution, restoring to political might as tools to military directive and not pose as a risk to national security.

    An apology to the young officer could be better, he was just doing his job and following orders. we have more serious issue of insecurity at hand instead of dragging wike.

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14. 

    Tijani Hassanat abiodun

    November 13, 2025 at 1:20 am

    On the 10th day of November,2025,there was a dispute that involved the FCT minister,Bar woke and a Naval officer, Leftenant in Abuja.

    The public outburst against a naval officer who denied the FCT minister access to a parcel of land that was claimed to be wrongly taken possession of by a former Naval chief during an enforcement visit in Abuja was the cause of the misunderstanding.
    The minister explained that the land under dispute was originally allocated to a company but was wrongly taken possession of by a Naval chief who has no legal interest in the subject land.
    The said Naval chief assigned some Naval officers to be guiding the land while construction was going on.

    The minister got annoyed after he was denied access to the land and this led to verbal altercation between the minister and the Naval officer which led to the minister to call the Chief of Defence to intervene.

    ” The duty of a junior officer to obey the orders of his superiors, even though strongly upheld in military and paramilitary circles,has its own limitations recognized by no other authority but the Supreme Court of Nigeria ” he wrote.

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