Defence Minister Bello Matawalle has revealed that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike ignored the advice of Nigeria’s top military chiefs and personally confronted Lieutenant Commander Yerima over a disputed property in Gaduwa, Abuja.
A video that went viral shows Wike in a heated face-off with the naval officer, accusing him of obstructing his directives on the land. Matawalle said Wike had initially contacted the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, who both told him to wait for a formal military investigation.
“Despite that counsel, Wike rushed to the site and exchanged words with the officer,” Matawalle described the incident as “unfortunate.” He stressed that Lieutenant Commander Yerima was acting lawfully, with discipline and respect, and committed no offence.
The minister warned that government officials must respect uniformed personnel, noting that disrespect to an officer indirectly undermines the President as Commander-in-Chief.
Matawalle clarified that his comments were not condoning indiscipline but urging proper adherence to military protocols.
He added that the Chief of Naval Staff has since visited the site to begin a formal investigation, emphasizing that any revocation of the land must follow official channels, not personal confrontations.
The Defence Ministry has yet to receive a formal complaint from Wike, but Matawalle said he personally reached out to the FCT minister after the video circulated, advising that proper consultation should have preceded the confrontation.
