Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has defended the Nigerian Army over the recent confrontation between soldiers and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.
The minister, while addressing journalists at the flag-off of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja, stated clearly that “no officer or soldier on lawful duty will be punished” for carrying out legitimate orders.
He emphasized that the military would always stand by personnel who perform their duties in accordance with the law.
“We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty. Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and if he does it well,” Badaru said.
The assurance follows growing tension after a recent altercation between Wike and an army officer stationed to guard a disputed piece of land in Abuja.
The confrontation, which drew public attention, had sparked outrage among military veterans, who warned that they would mobilize and occupy the FCT ministry if the soldier involved faced punishment.
Defence Minister Assures Government is Tackling Insecurity
However, the minister also used the event to highlight the government’s progress in tackling insecurity.
He said the Ministry of Defence, under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, has achieved “significant operational milestones” through stronger coordination among the armed forces and security agencies.
According to him, over 13,000 terrorists and criminals have been neutralised, 17,000 arrested, and nearly 10,000 hostages rescued since the administration took office. He added that more than 100,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP members, including their families, have surrendered in recent months.
“These coordinated operations have led to the dismantling of key terrorist enclaves and the restoration of peace in several communities,” Badaru said, noting that many displaced persons are now returning home.
He further disclosed that the government destroyed more than 1,900 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta as part of efforts to protect Nigeria’s economic assets.
On the ongoing modernization drive, the minister revealed that new Armoured Fighting Vehicles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and naval vessels have been acquired to boost operational readiness and reduce dependence on foreign supplies.
Wike’s Aide Defends Principal
Meanwhile, the clash involving Wike has continued to generate reactions. Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the FCT Minister, said retired Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, a former Chief of Naval Staff, was deceived into buying land meant for parks and recreation.
Olayinka, in a post on X, claimed that Gambo was “duped” by land speculators who sold the non-residential property to him and others. He advised the former naval chief to “face those who scammed him” rather than confronting FCTA officials enforcing lawful orders.
He explained that the land was originally allocated to Santos Estate Limited in 2007 for park and recreational use. The company reportedly sought approval in 2022 to convert it for residential purposes, but the request was rejected by the FCT administration.
Despite the denial, Olayinka said the company went ahead to partition and sell the plots to buyers, including the retired naval chief.
“Like I said earlier, shouldn’t the former Chief of Naval Staff be more concerned with the person who scammed him, rather than using military might to hold on to a property on which he was duped?” he asked.
The FCT Minister’s Media Aide also reacted to a recent statement by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, saying, “As Director General of Rotimi Amaechi Campaign, Buratai has done his job.”
