By Our Reporter
Security tension arose on Tuesday in the Gaduwa district of Abuja when soldiers prevented the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and senior FCTA officials from accessing a disputed parcel of land.
The soldiers, stationed at the site, refused to allow the minister’s convoy entry, insisting they were acting on instructions. The confrontation prompted Wike to question the legality of their presence and the authority under which they were acting.
“This is unprofessional. You cannot be threatening a minister like this,” one official told the soldiers.
Wike expressed dissatisfaction, stating that no one is above the law. He insisted that the land in question had no valid allocation records in FCTA documents.
“You have no documents. We cannot continue to act in impunity. You cannot use guns to intimidate anyone. I am not one of those who will be intimidated,” Wike said.
He further claimed that the soldiers were acting on directives from a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo. Wike accused the parties involved of attempting to use military influence to bypass due process.
“I will not succumb to blackmail,” he stated.
Despite the disagreement, the soldiers maintained their stance, saying they would not vacate the site without counter-orders.