The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence has commenced a thorough investigation into the recent altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer identified as Lieutenant A. Yerima. The clash, which took place at the Gaduwa District of Abuja, has stirred national attention and reignited public debates on the delicate balance between civilian authority and military discipline within the Federal Capital Territory.
Lieutenant Yerima, according to reports, was acting on directives from the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd.), regarding a disputed piece of land allegedly linked to the retired military chief. The situation escalated dramatically after a viral video surfaced showing a heated exchange between Wike and the officer, with both men trading sharp words over claims of illegal land acquisition.
In an interview with DCL Hausa, Matawalle described the confrontation as both “unfortunate and unnecessary,” stressing that it undermined the decorum expected in dealings involving high-ranking government officials and members of the armed forces. He added that the incident indirectly amounted to an act of disrespect toward President Bola Tinubu, who serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. According to Matawalle, the dispute could have been resolved peacefully if the appropriate communication channels had been followed instead of resorting to public confrontation.
The minister revealed that Wike had earlier spoken with both the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff before the incident, and was advised to allow the military hierarchy to handle the matter internally. “Wike should not have exchanged words with the officer,” Matawalle said. “He should have allowed the military chain of command to take its course rather than confronting the officer in public.”
He further noted that the naval officer acted within the bounds of his duties, carrying out instructions from his superiors. Matawalle insisted that the young officer should not face any disciplinary action, as his conduct reflected obedience and discipline — core principles of military service. “The officer merely obeyed a lawful order,” he said. “If you observe carefully, he conducted himself respectfully. There is no basis for any punishment.”
Clarifying his position, Matawalle emphasised that his remarks should not be misconstrued as defending misconduct, but rather as reinforcing the need for institutional respect and adherence to procedure. He added that Wike, being a colleague in the Federal Executive Council, could have contacted the Ministry of Defence to seek mediation instead of escalating the issue on-site.
Matawalle further disclosed that the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has since visited the disputed site to begin a full-scale investigation into the ownership and allocation of the land. He noted that the Defence Ministry would ensure the matter is resolved based on documented evidence and due process. “If the land has been revoked, there are established procedures that must be followed diplomatically,” he explained.
The minister also revealed that Wike had not yet lodged a formal complaint with the Ministry of Defence but confirmed that he personally reached out to the FCT Minister after the incident went viral to advise restraint. Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Mohammad Abubakar, has assured the public that no officer acting within the confines of lawful duty will be punished for performing his responsibilities, reiterating the government’s commitment to upholding military professionalism and the rule of law.