Abuja
Tension in Abuja as Soldiers Block Wike from Accessing Gaduwa Land Linked to Retired Admiral
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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