Soldiers Block Nyesom Wike from Demolishing Abuja Property Linked to Ex-Naval Chief
A tense confrontation unfolded in Abuja on November 11, 2025, when soldiers blocked Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, from accessing and demolishing a property reportedly owned by former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired).
The dramatic incident, which has since gone viral on social media, has sparked national debate about power, due process, and the rule of law in the ongoing FCT land dispute.
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Witnesses said the face-off occurred at Plot 1946 in the Gaduwa District of Abuja, where Nyesom Wike arrived with a demolition team, police escorts, Department of State Services (DSS) agents, and aides.
He claimed the property violated Abuja land use regulations and lacked the necessary approvals. Soldiers stationed at the site, reportedly acting on orders from Vice Admiral Ibas, refused to allow entry.
The lead officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, informed Wike that the property’s documents had already been submitted to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and advised him to follow established procedures rather than force his way in.
Videos circulating online captured heated exchanges in which Wike berated the officer, calling him “mad” and “a fool,” while questioning his authority. The situation grew tense when a member of Wike’s security team shoved a soldier, and one of his aides demanded that Lt. Yerima “shut up when Oga is talking.” Despite several phone calls allegedly made by Wike to senior military figures, the soldiers refused to yield without direct orders from higher command.
The minister, visibly frustrated, eventually left the location without carrying out the planned demolition. No injuries were reported, but the Nyesom Wike confrontation has since dominated public discourse, with many Nigerians praising the composure of the soldiers while criticising Wike’s combative tone.
Lieutenant A.M. Yerima has been widely commended across social media for maintaining professionalism under pressure. Many citizens described him as a “disciplined officer” who upheld due process and respect for lawful authority. Meanwhile, Wike, who has built a reputation for his tough approach to governance, faces growing criticism over his handling of Abuja demolition exercises.
Since becoming FCT Minister in August 2023, Nyesom Wike has spearheaded aggressive urban reforms, revoking hundreds of land allocations and demolishing structures he considers illegal. Supporters say his actions are aimed at restoring Abuja’s master plan, but opponents accuse him of acting with impunity and targeting perceived rivals.
The Abuja demolition controversy has intensified in recent weeks after reports emerged that land previously allocated to top military officers, including Vice Admiral Ibas, was revoked by the FCTA.
The Ministry of Defence has since clarified that no soldier or officer performing lawful duty will be punished over the incident. Legal experts remain divided, with some arguing that the soldiers were right to insist on proper authorisation, while others contend that obstructing a minister acting under presidential authority could raise procedural questions.
This latest Nyesom Wike news has also reignited memories of his past clashes with military officials. During the 2019 Rivers State governorship election, Wike accused then-Brigadier General Jamil Sarham of plotting to harm him — an allegation the army denied. Critics have now drawn parallels, suggesting that Wike’s own approach to power is facing a reckoning.
The FCT land dispute continues to expose deep institutional tensions over property ownership, political influence, and governance in Nigeria’s capital. For Wike, the Abuja confrontation marks a rare public setback.
For many Nigerians, however, it represents something larger — a symbolic struggle between political authority and military restraint, and a test of how far rule of law can hold in the face of power.
