By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
There was a mild drama in Abuja on Monday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, reportedly clashed with a senior military officer over alleged land grabbing in one of the highbrow districts of the nation’s capital.
According to eyewitnesses, the confrontation occurred during an inspection tour of some disputed plots said to have been illegally allocated and fenced off without proper approval from the FCT Administration.
Sources within the FCT Department of Development Control told NationalWatch TV that the land in question had been under investigation for months following petitions from original allottees who alleged encroachment by some influential individuals.
The FCT Minister, who has consistently warned against illegal land allocations and encroachments, was said to have ordered the immediate demolition of unauthorized structures when the military officer identified himself as the “lawful occupant” of one of the disputed plots.
The exchange reportedly turned heated as the officer attempted to justify his ownership, citing documents purportedly issued by a previous administration. Wike, however, maintained that due process must be followed and that no one — regardless of status — would be above the law.
“This is the Federal Capital Territory, not a lawless zone. I don’t care who you are — soldier, politician, or businessman — illegal acquisition of land will not stand,” the Minister was quoted as saying.
Security operatives had to step in to calm the tension as the officer and his aides were escorted away from the site to prevent further escalation.
Residents of the area who spoke to reporters commended the Minister for confronting what they described as “decades of impunity in land administration,” urging the government to sustain the ongoing cleanup of illegal structures in the FCT.
As of press time, the military authorities and the FCT Administration have yet to issue official statements on the incident.
Watch Video Here:
