Defence Headquarters Responds Hours After Wike’s Heated Clash With Military Officers

According to reports, the Defence Headquarters has issued a statement on social media just hours after an altercation involving Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and military officers in Abuja.

The confrontation occurred on Tuesday in the Gaduwa district, where Wike reportedly intervened to halt a construction project on land associated with a former Chief of Naval Staff. The FCT Minister claimed the development lacked the necessary documentation and demanded that work be suspended.

Military personnel, acting on superior orders, blocked Wike and his aides from halting the project. During the heated exchange, Wike reportedly told one officer to “shut up” and called him a “fool.” The officer responded, insisting he was “acting on orders” and rejecting Wike’s characterization.

Hours later, the Defence Headquarters took to social media to remind Nigerians of the honour and duty inherent in serving in the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), weighed in on the incident, describing Wike’s behaviour as “reckless” and a threat to national security. In a statement on his verified Facebook page, Buratai noted that such confrontations “undermine the authority of the Commander-in-Chief and the integrity of the Armed Forces,” and warned that public disputes with uniformed officers could have serious implications for military discipline.