LERE Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has shed light on the recent confrontation between the minister and a group of soldiers over a disputed land in Abuja.
Speaking to newsmen today, Olayinka explained that a former Chief of Naval Staff had been deceived in a fraudulent land transaction and later attempted to reclaim the property through the use of military force rather than lawful means.
According to him, the contentious land was originally allocated in 2007 to Santos Estate Limited for the purpose of park and recreation.
However, the company neither developed the land nor adhered to the original terms of allocation because the area was designated as a road corridor where construction is prohibited.
“In 2022, the company wrote to the FCT Development Authority requesting a change of use from recreation to commercial purposes.
Before receiving approval, they began partitioning and selling portions of the land, one of which went to the former Naval Chief,” Olayinka explained.
“He has since realised that he was scammed, but instead of seeking help, he decided to use military might.”
The remarks follow a heated exchange yesterday between Minister Wike, his team, and some soldiers over the same piece of land located in Abuja’s Gaduwa District.
During the encounter, Wike condemned what he described as an attempt to intimidate a government minister with armed force, insisting that no one is above the law.
“This is impunity. You cannot threaten a minister,” one of Wike’s aides said during the confrontation. The minister himself warned, “You cannot be higher than government or carry guns to intimidate anyone. I am not one of those who can be intimidated.”
While the former Naval Chief has yet to publicly comment on the controversy, soldiers present at the scene claimed he possesses documents proving ownership of the land.
The military has also not released an official statement regarding the altercation.