The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has assured that no military officer or soldier performing lawful duties will face punishment over the recent altercation between personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.
Speaking during the flag-off of activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Defence College, Badaru emphasized that the government remains committed to protecting personnel carrying out legitimate duties.
He said, “We will always protect officers and armed forces personnel on lawful duty. Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and does it well.”
Following the clash between Wike and the officer who led soldiers to safeguard a disputed property in Abuja, a coalition of retired veterans had threatened to protest if the officer was punished, insisting he acted under lawful orders.
On the nation’s security situation, the Defence Minister stated that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, troops had neutralized over 13,000 terrorists and criminals, arrested more than 17,000 suspects, and rescued nearly 10,000 hostages. He added that over 100,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, along with their families, had surrendered.
“These operations have dismantled major terrorist enclaves, neutralized notorious bandit commanders, and restored peace to several communities, enabling displaced persons to return home,” he said.
He also disclosed that the Armed Forces had destroyed over 1,900 illegal oil refining sites in the South-South region, as part of efforts to secure Nigeria’s vital economic infrastructure.
Badaru highlighted ongoing modernization initiatives, including the acquisition of Armoured Fighting Vehicles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and naval vessels, aimed at improving the military’s readiness and reducing reliance on imports.
He called for stronger collaboration among the government, private sector, civil society, and traditional institutions to combat insecurity nationwide.
Meanwhile, Wike’s aide, Lere Olayinka, accused former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd.), of being deceived into purchasing land designated for parks and recreation in Abuja.
Olayinka claimed that Gambo should focus his anger on those who sold the disputed land rather than the FCT Administration enforcing legal land-use regulations.
He explained that the property, allocated to Santos Estate Limited in 2007, was illegally subdivided and sold to unsuspecting buyers, including the former naval chief, despite official rejection of its conversion to residential use.
Reacting to comments by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), Olayinka said: “Buratai has done his job as Director General of Rotimi Amaechi’s campaign, but this issue is straightforward — the land was never residential and was sold under false pretences.”
