Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has reacted to the controversy involving former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd.), over a disputed plot of land in Abuja.

In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Olayinka alleged that the retired naval chief was deceived into buying land that had been officially designated for park and recreational purposes, not residential use.

According to Olayinka, rather than directing anger at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for enforcing land-use regulations, the former naval chief should focus on the individuals who sold him the illegal property.

“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 stated.

He revealed that the land in question was originally allocated to Santos Estate Limited in 2007 for park and recreation purposes.

Olayinka further explained that in 2022, the company applied to the then FCT Minister for approval to convert the land to residential use, but the request was declined. Despite this, the company allegedly went ahead to partition and sell the land to unsuspecting buyers, including the former naval chief.

“Santos Estate Limited had already sold the land to unsuspecting people, including the former Chief of Naval Staff, who is now building duplexes on it,” Olayinka noted.

“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.

Reacting to comments made by Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), former Chief of Army Staff, Olayinka added:

“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.”

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Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has assured that no officer or soldier performing lawful duty will face punishment over the recent altercation between military personnel and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.

Speaking during the ministerial briefing to flag off activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Defence College, Abuja, Badaru reaffirmed the government’s support for security personnel executing their duties responsibly.

“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,” he said.

The assurance comes amid tensions following a confrontation between Wike and a military officer who led soldiers to secure a disputed plot of land in Abuja’s Gaduwa district.

After the incident, a coalition of retired military veterans threatened to occupy the FCT ministry if any disciplinary action was taken against the officer, insisting he acted under a lawful directive.

On National Security Achievements

The Defence Minister also highlighted key achievements under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, noting that the armed forces have recorded major successes in counter-terrorism and internal security operations nationwide.

According to Badaru, within Tinubu’s tenure, troops have neutralised over 13,000 terrorists and criminals, arrested more than 17,000, and rescued nearly 10,000 hostages. He added that over 100,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP combatants and their families have surrendered.

“These coordinated operations have dismantled major terrorist enclaves, neutralised notorious bandit commanders, and restored peace to hundreds of communities, enabling displaced persons to return home,” he said.

Badaru also disclosed that in the South-South region, troops destroyed over 1,900 illegal refining sites, safeguarding vital oil and gas infrastructure.

He emphasized that the military’s growing operational capacity is supported by strategic modernization efforts, including the procurement of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and naval vessels.

“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,” the minister stated.

He further called for collective participation in the fight against insecurity, stressing a “whole-of-society approach” that involves government, civil society, traditional institutions, academia, and the private sector.

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Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, was on Tuesday prevented by armed soldiers from accessing a disputed parcel of land in the Gaduwa district of Abuja, allegedly owned by retired Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo, a former Chief of Naval Staff.

The incident, which briefly caused tension, occurred when Wike and a team of senior FCT officials arrived at the site for an inspection amid ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal land allocations and unauthorized developments across the territory.

Eyewitnesses said that shortly after the minister’s convoy arrived, a group of armed military personnel at the site stopped Wike’s team from gaining access. The soldiers reportedly told the FCT task force that they were acting on orders to “secure the property” on behalf of the retired admiral.

A heated exchange followed, during which Wike expressed anger at the obstruction, insisting that no individual military or civilian was above the law. He accused the soldiers of intimidation and vowed that the FCTA would enforce land use regulations in all parts of the capital, regardless of the status of those involved.

“This is not a military barracks. This is Abuja land that falls under the jurisdiction of the FCT Administration. Nobody, no matter how highly placed, can defy the laws of the Federal Capital Territory,” Wike was quoted as saying.

Sources within the FCTA said the land in question was under investigation for lacking valid development approvals and was marked for enforcement action.

To prevent the confrontation from escalating, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, reportedly intervened via phone call, appealing to both parties to allow due process to take its course.

Following the intervention, Wike’s team was barred from inspecting the site, but the minister maintained that the FCTA would not back down in its mission to reclaim illegally acquired lands and ensure compliance with Abuja’s master plan.

The incident shows the growing tension between the FCTA and powerful individuals accused of violating land regulations, as Wike continues his aggressive drive to sanitize land administration in the capital city.

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The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has withdrawn his earlier decision to call witnesses in his ongoing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja, insisting that there are no valid charges against him.

The development occurred on Monday during a resumed hearing of his terrorism-related trial before Justice James Omotosho, where Kanu declared that the Nigerian government had failed to establish any competent case requiring a defence.

Kanu, who had previously filed a formal application to summon witnesses, told the court that he no longer saw the need, stating: “No competent charge exists against me.”

The IPOB leader argued that he had been subjected to an unjust process, maintaining that the prosecution’s evidence fell short of proving the allegations brought against him.

In response, Justice Omotosho directed Kanu to put his new position in writing and formally serve it on the prosecution for record purposes. The judge also advised him to seek legal counsel from criminal law experts to understand the implications of waiving his right to defence.

The court adjourned the matter to November 4th, 5th, and 6th for both the defence and prosecution to file their final written addresses ahead of judgment.

Recall that Kanu had earlier named several high-profile individuals as potential witnesses in his defence, including former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Others listed were Minister of Works Dave Umahi, former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, former NIA Director-General Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, and former DSS Director-General Yusuf Bichi.

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday joined the Body of Benchers’ procession during the Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja, as his son, Jordan Wike, was formally admitted into the Nigerian Bar.

The minister was accompanied by his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Wike, as the family marked the proud occasion.

Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, confirmed the development in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, where he also shared photos of the family.

“Happy Dad and Mum. FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Wike, with their son, Jordan, who is to be called to Bar today,” Olayinka wrote.

A video also showed the minister taking part in the Body of Benchers’ procession, highlighting the ceremonial significance of the day.

The Call to Bar is a major event in Nigeria’s legal calendar, where new lawyers are officially admitted after completing training at the Nigerian Law School.

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