ABUJA, Nigeria — A tense confrontation unfolded in Abuja between Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Nigerian soldiers over a disputed parcel of land, after military personnel reportedly blocked the minister from accessing the site.
A video circulating on social media shows the minister arriving at the location with his security detail before being stopped by armed soldiers, leading to a heated verbal exchange that nearly escalated into a physical altercation.
In the footage, Wike can be seen stepping in to separate his security officers from the soldiers, as both sides exchanged sharp words over the legality of the occupation of the land.
The visibly angry minister demanded to see official documentation authorising the use or allocation of the land, accusing the group on site of acting with “impunity.”
“Show me the documents you have. You have no documents. We cannot continue to act with such impunity,” Wike said.
“Where is the approval? This cannot go on. How is it that a man at his level cannot meet me, but instead sends soldiers to intimidate people? We are all from this country.
If not for the Chief of Defence Staff, who just spoke to me, you would have had to kill everyone here. I am not someone you can intimidate.”
One of the soldiers, who appeared to be leading the military detachment, denied any attempt to threaten or obstruct the minister, insisting that the landowner possessed complete documentation.
“On the contrary, sir. We are not intimidating anybody. The papers are complete and he said he has submitted them,” the officer replied.
“You send soldiers to intimidate who? We are all from this country. If not for the CDS who spoke to me now,you would have to kpai everybody here.I’m not one of those that you can intimidate”
– Minister Nyesom Wike shouts on soldiers stopping him from entering the land😭💔 pic.twitter.com/JzlKA1z9VJ
— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) November 11, 2025
The confrontation, which reportedly took place in the Asokoro area of Abuja, ended without violence after Wike ordered his team to stand down and left the premises.
