Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru Backs Naval Officer Who Confronted Wike Over Abuja Land Dispute

A fresh wave of political tension and online debate has erupted across Nigeria following a viral X video showing a heated confrontation between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, a naval officer, over access to a disputed Abuja land plot allegedly linked to former Naval Chief Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo.

The clip, filmed on November 11, 2025, has since dominated social media, drawing millions of views and igniting conversations about military-civil relations, federal authority, and the boundaries of political power in Nigeria’s capital city.

The video, which first surfaced late Monday, captures Wike arriving at the site surrounded by aides and security personnel. Yerima, visibly composed and dressed in full naval uniform, can be heard firmly insisting that the land was under legal naval supervision, asking Wike and his entourage to produce official documentation authorizing their presence.

Wike, known for his assertive leadership style, pushed back, accusing the naval officer of “insubordination.” However, Yerima’s unflinching response and refusal to back down instantly made him a symbol of courage and discipline in the eyes of many Nigerians watching the confrontation unfold online.

Following the altercation, Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru issued a statement defending the officer, describing his actions as “a lawful discharge of duty” rather than defiance. According to Badaru, Yerima was acting within his constitutional authority to secure military-linked assets and should not face any form of intimidation or political persecution.

Citing reports from Daily Post and Sahara Reporters, Badaru reiterated that “no one, not even a minister, has the right to obstruct military operations when conducted within the limits of the law.”

The confrontation has since become one of the most talked-about moments in Nigeria’s online space this week. Hashtags like #WikeVsYerima, #AbujaLandScandal, and #NavyDefendsYerima are trending on X, with over 120,000 cumulative interactions in under 48 hours.

For many Nigerians, the incident reflects a growing power struggle between federal ministers and security agencies, with some commenters arguing that Wike’s leadership style—once praised for its decisiveness in Rivers State—is clashing with the realities of Abuja’s multi-agency bureaucracy.

Northern commentators have particularly rallied behind Yerima, noting that he is the son of retired General Mohammed Yerima, a respected figure in Nigeria’s military circles. Many online users from the northern region celebrated the officer’s calm demeanor as a “rare act of integrity in uniform,” contrasting it with what they described as “political arrogance.” Meanwhile, others, including human rights advocates, have warned against ethnicizing the confrontation, stressing that the issue is institutional, not regional.

The disputed land, located in a high-value district of Abuja, is believed to be part of a parcel previously under naval jurisdiction but now contested by private developers. Sources within the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS)—the same agency recently placed under strict mobile phone restrictions by Wike—hinted that the property’s documentation may have overlapping claims, prompting the FCT Minister’s visit. The clash has therefore exposed deeper systemic issues within land administration in Abuja, long criticized for corruption, duplicate titles, and political interference.

Legal experts have also weighed in, arguing that if the Navy can prove legitimate ownership or operational claim over the land, Wike’s confrontation may have overstepped the boundaries of his ministerial power. According to Abuja-based lawyer Dr. Samuel Okon, “This is not the first time a minister will confront military authorities over land, but the virality of this video changes the dynamics—it’s now about public perception and the image of accountability.”

For Wike, this episode adds to a growing list of controversies that have defined his early tenure as FCT Minister—from the demolition of illegal structures to fiery public exchanges with government agencies. Yet, for Yerima, this may mark the start of a new reputation within the military ranks as a symbol of lawful resistance against political pressure.

As investigations into the ownership of the contested land continue, Nigerians online remain deeply divided. Some demand that President Bola Tinubu intervene to prevent the situation from escalating, while others see it as a necessary conversation about how power and accountability intersect in public service.

The full weight of the confrontation lies not just in the clash itself but in what it represents: a moment when the uniform stood firm before political might, captured on camera, replayed millions of times, and now etched into Nigeria’s ongoing dialogue about governance, justice, and institutional respect.

Watch the video below