The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has stated that Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima, the naval officer involved in a verbal confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, will not face any disciplinary action.
Matawalle gave the assurance in an interview with DCL Hausa, following public speculations about possible sanctions after a video of the encounter went viral on social media.
In the footage, recorded during Wike’s visit to a disputed plot of land at Gaduwa District, Abuja, the FCT minister was seen engaging in a tense exchange with the officer, who stood his ground respectfully while performing his duty.
Reports indicate that Wike visited Plot 1946 on Monday, where he accused military personnel of obstructing officials from the Department of Development Control from enforcing a stop-work order. The land is reportedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd.)
Reacting to the incident, Matawalle said the matter should have been addressed through proper official channels rather than through a public confrontation.
“The minister should not have confronted him. Lieutenant Yerima was acting on orders. If Wike had any concerns, he should have spoken to his superiors or to me directly since I oversee naval affairs,” Matawalle said.
He commended Yerima’s composure during the exchange, describing his conduct as “disciplined and professional.”
“You can clearly see that he was respectful while standing his ground. As far as we are concerned, he did not violate any law or military regulation,” he added.
Matawalle also revealed that the Chief of Naval Staff has launched an investigation into the ownership of the disputed property, noting that o formal complaint had been received from the FCT Minister.
“This situation was avoidable. Before the minister went there, he had already spoken with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, who assured him that the matter would be addressed,” Matawalle said.