Defence Headquarters Makes Striking Statement Hours After Wike’s Clash With Soldiers

Also Read

 

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has shared a cryptic post on social media just hours after a heated altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and some military officers over a disputed parcel of land in Abuja.

Naija News reports that Wike had on Tuesday stormed a construction site in the Gaduwa District to halt a building project allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, claiming that the land was being developed without legal documentation.

However, military personnel on site—acting on what they described as “orders from above”—reportedly resisted the minister’s directive to stop the work, sparking a confrontation that quickly escalated.

In a viral video of the encounter, Wike was seen ordering one of the officers to “shut up”, calling him “a fool.” The officer responded, “I am not a fool and I will not shut up. I am acting on orders.”

---

Defence Headquarters Posts Cryptic Message

Hours after the clash, the Defence Headquarters made a post on its official 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) handle, stating simply that “It is an honour to serve in the Nigerian Military.”

The post, which came without any direct reference to the incident, has since drawn widespread public interpretation as a subtle response to the minister’s outburst.

As of press time, the DHQ and the Nigerian Navy have yet to issue any official statement addressing the confrontation.

---

Buratai: Wike’s Conduct Threatens National Security

Reacting to the controversy, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), warned that Wike’s behavior could pose a “clear and present danger to national security.”

In a statement on his verified Facebook page, Buratai described the minister’s public outburst as “a reckless act that transcends mere misconduct”, adding that it undermines the authority of the Commander-in-Chief and the integrity of the Armed Forces.

“Such confrontations strike at the core of Nigeria’s command and control structure,” Buratai said.
“They erode discipline and could have far-reaching implications for civil-military relations.”

He urged all political leaders to exercise restraint and respect the chain of command when dealing with members of the armed forces.