Wike, soldiers altercation: No officer or soldier on lawful duty’ll be punished — DEFENCE Minister

Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has stated that no officer or soldier performing lawful duties will face punishment due to the incident that occurred between soldiers and the Minister of the FCT, Barr Nyesom Wike, in Abuja on Tuesday.

During the ministerial briefing to inaugurate the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the National Defence College, Badaru remarked: "We will consistently safeguard officers and our armed forces personnel engaged in lawful duties. Any officer executing lawful duties will receive protection if he is performing his responsibilities appropriately and effectively."

It is important to note that following the confrontation between the minister and the officer responsible for leading soldiers to secure a property in Abuja, a coalition of retired veterans from the Nigerian military pledged to mobilize and occupy the Ministry of the FCT in Abuja if any punitive action was taken against the officer, who they asserted was acting under lawful orders.

Regarding the security challenges facing the nation, the minister commented: "Under the leadership and guidance of President Bola Tinubu, the Ministry of Defence has made considerable operational progress in ensuring national security and maintaining territorial integrity through enhanced collaboration among the services and security agencies."

“Within the tenure of this administration, our troops have neutralised over 13,000 terrorists and criminals, arrested more than 17,000 and rescued nearly 10,000 hostages. Over 100,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP combatants and their families have surrendered.

“These coordinated operations have led to the dismantling of key terrorist enclaves, the neutralisation of notorious bandit commanders and the restoration of peace to hundreds of communities, allowing displaced persons to return home.

“Our commitment to securing Nigeria’s vital economic assets is equally evident in the South-South, where over 1,900 illegal refining sites were destroyed.

“These expanding operational capabilities are underpinned by significant strategic modernisation. Let me be clear that despite these successes, the remnants of criminal elements still pose threats to our peace and security.

“Accordingly, the President has consistently directed the ministry of defence and the Armed Forces to sustain ongoing operations and intensify efforts until all remaining threats are eliminated.

“However, the task is not for the government alone. This is why we are strengthening a whole-of-society approach that brings together government, civil society, traditional institutions, academia, and the private sector in a common front against insecurity.

“The signing of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, Act in 2023 marks a milestone in indigenous defence production, positioning Nigeria as an emerging hub for defence technology in the region.

“Coupled with the procurement of advanced platforms, including Armoured Fighting Vehicles, AFVs, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and naval vessels, this modernization enhances our operational readiness and will eventually reduce our reliance on imports.

Your anger is misdirected; confront those who deceived you, Wike’s aide addresses former Naval chief.

Nonetheless, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant for Public Communication and Social Media, asserted yesterday that the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, ret., was misled into acquiring land in Abuja that was initially intended for park and recreational use.

In a message posted on his X account, Olayinka stated that the retired naval officer was "tricked" by individuals who sold him and others the land, despite its classification as non-residential property.

He contended that instead of directing his frustration towards officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), who were implementing land-use regulations, the former naval chief should concentrate on taking action against those who sold the contested land.

“Vice Admiral Gambo was scammed. He needs to use his military might against the person who sold land meant for park and recreation to him to build duplexes, not FCTA officials carrying out their lawful duties,” Olayinka wrote.

According to him, the land in question was allocated to Santos Estate Limited in 2007 for park and recreation.

He said: “In 2022, the company wrote to the then FCT minister, seeking approval to change land use purpose to residential.

“While still waiting for response to this request, the company decided to partition the land and sell to people, including the former Chief of Naval Staff.

“The then FCT minister declined the request to change the land use purpose from park and recreation to residential.

“Meanwhile, Santos Estate Limited already sold the land to unsuspecting people, including the former CNS, who is building duplexes on his own.

“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 queried.

On comments made by Lt. General Tukur Buratai, former chief of army staff, Olayinka said: “I read the statement made by the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai. As Director General of Rotimi Amaechi Campaign, Buratai has done his job.”