Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike on Tuesday condemned the alleged illegal occupation of a disputed land in Abuja by military personnel, reportedly acting on the orders of a former Chief of Naval Staff, labeling the action as “lawless and unacceptable.”
Wike personally visited the site after reports emerged that armed soldiers had driven away FCTA officials from the Department of Development Control who were enforcing directives against unauthorized development.
“You are aware that the land departments and the Development Control have the mandate to monitor illegal development and land grabbing,” Wike told journalists at the scene. “When this was brought to my attention, I instructed them to ensure that nothing takes place there, as there were no legal documents—no regional approval, no valid acquisition.”
The minister revealed that FCTA officials were chased off the property by soldiers while attempting to implement his orders.
“I was informed that the soldiers of the military had to chase them away, and I thought they were acting illegally,” he said. “Today, while I was in the office, I was called again that the military had taken over the place. I had to come myself to see things. It’s really unfortunate.”
Expressing disbelief, Wike criticized the retired senior officer for resorting to intimidation instead of due process.
“I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position cannot approach my office to say, ‘Look, this is what is going on.’ But simply because he’s a military man, he thinks he can use that to intimidate Nigerians. I am not one of those that will succumb to blackmail or intimidation,” he declared.
Officials reportedly demanded documentation to justify the occupation, but none were provided.
“The Director of Development Control said, ‘Bring the documents’—they don’t have them. ‘Bring approval for building’—they don’t have it. How can we continue to allow lawlessness to prevail? What about those who don’t have the military behind them? What about ordinary Nigerians?” Wike questioned.
The minister emphasized that the FCT Administration would not tolerate the abuse of military influence to bypass urban planning laws.
“I have spoken to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff. They assured me that the matter will be resolved. We’re not here to have a shootout with anybody or cause chaos,” he said.
“But I will not allow this to happen. The same way we enforce our laws in other areas is the same way it will be done here. Nobody—whether a former Chief of Naval Staff or anyone else—will be allowed to carry out illegal development on government land.”
Wike pledged to continue reclaiming encroached properties and restoring order in Abuja’s land management, regardless of the status of those involved.
