Retired military generals have expressed anger over the confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, Lieutenant A. Yerima, during a heated encounter over an alleged land-grabbing incident in Abuja.
The retired officers, in separate interviews with Punch on Wednesday, described the incident as “a dangerous breach of protocol” and a display that undermines military discipline and the chain of command.
Their reactions came as the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, confirmed that the ministry had launched an investigation into the matter.
Speaking during a press briefing at the National Defence College, Abuja, to flag off activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Badaru commended Lieutenant Yerima for maintaining composure during the confrontation with Wike.
Badaru said, “At the ministry, and indeed the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty.
“We are looking into this issue and assure that any officer performing his duties lawfully will be highly protected. We will not allow anything to happen to him so long as he is doing his job, and he is doing it very well.”
The altercation reportedly began when Wike led an FCT task force to halt construction work on a plot of land allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd.).
Wike accused the ex-naval chief of illegally taking over the land and confronted Yerima, who was on site with armed personnel guarding the property.
A viral video showed the minister shouting at the officer, demanding explanations for the military’s presence on the site.
“Wike’s Conduct Damages Institutional Respect” — Gen. Aro (retd.)
Reacting to the incident, Brigadier General Peter Aro (retd.) said the face-off highlighted the importance of adhering to proper channels of communication in a democratic setting.
He said, “The clash between Minister Wike and the young naval officer goes beyond personalities; it reflects how power should and should not be exercised in a democracy.
“The officer was acting under lawful orders from his superior, the former Chief of Naval Staff. His duty was to obey the chain of command, not to improvise under political pressure.”
While acknowledging the minister’s authority to query land ownership, Aro faulted his confrontational approach, stressing that governance requires restraint and respect for institutional boundaries.
“The minister had every right to raise questions about the land, but through lawful channels, by writing to the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, or the courts. A public confrontation that diminishes institutional respect exposes the government’s internal disarray before the world,” he added.
He warned that if such acts went unchecked, they could erode military morale and embolden insubordination within the ranks.
“If this episode is not publicly condemned, it sends a dangerous message to the men and women who risk their lives daily for Nigeria’s sovereignty. Civilian leaders must model restraint and humility,” Aro said.
“An Insult To The Commander-In-Chief” — Gen. Adewinbi (retd.)
Also commenting, Brigadier General Bashir Adewinbi (retd.) described Wike’s behaviour as “unacceptable and unbecoming of a public officer.”
He said, “I did not expect a minister to behave like that toward a commissioned officer.
“The military is not just any organisation; it is under the command of the President, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Any confrontation with a military officer is, by extension, a confrontation with the Commander-in-Chief, and it should not be tolerated.”
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