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Tension In Abuja As Soldiers Block Wike From Entering Disputed Estate Land
The standoff escalated further when Wike called the soldier “a big fool,” but the officer stood his ground, insisting he was only following orders.
Abuja, Nigeria- A tense confrontation broke out in Abuja on Tuesday when soldiers stopped the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) from gaining access to a disputed estate land.
In a video obtained by Afrika Eyes, soldiers on guard duty at the site blocked the minister’s convoy, sparking a heated verbal exchange between Wike and one of the officers.
Visibly enraged, Wike accused the soldier of preventing government officials from carrying out their lawful duties, while the soldier insisted he was acting on lawful orders.
“Because you’re an officer, nobody does that (nobody acquires land illegally),” Wike shouted during the exchange.
The soldier quickly responded, “Sir, we did not carry any land.”
Wike retorted, “The man took this, and we will not allow that just because he is the Chief of Army Staff.”
The confrontation intensified when the soldier maintained that all actions taken on the property were legitimate.
“Sir, everything was acquired legally. Sir, you get the point,” the soldier said.
An irritated Wike interrupted, saying, “Will you stop that?”
The soldier, however, refused to be silenced. “Sir, I’m an officer, I have integrity,” he replied.
“Shut up!” Wike barked.
“Sir, I will not shut up. Sir, I won’t shut up. Sir, you can’t shut me up,” the soldier responded firmly, drawing gasps from onlookers.
The standoff escalated further when Wike called the soldier “a big fool,” but the officer stood his ground, insisting he was only following orders.
Wike: “You’re a big fool.”
Soldier: “I’m not a fool, sir. I am acting on an order.”
The soldier’s defiance shocked onlookers as both sides refused to back down, creating a tense standoff that drew attention from nearby residents and FCTA officials.
The altercation is the latest in a series of confrontations linked to land ownership disputes and demolition exercises in the Federal Capital Territory under Wike’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Wike vows not to ‘succumb to blackmail’ after face-off with soldiers
