Nigeria’s Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru on Wednesday threw his weight behind a naval officer embroiled in a heated exchange with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike over a disputed Abuja land parcel, vowing to safeguard all military personnel executing legitimate orders amid an ongoing probe.
The endorsement came during a ministerial briefing at the National Defence College on preparations for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Celebration, where Badaru lauded Lieutenant Yerima for his conduct in the confrontation tied to property allegedly owned by retired Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo.
“At the Ministry, and indeed within the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty. We will always protect our officer. He has done well. We won’t allow anything happen to him,” Badaru declared, emphasising the government’s stance.
VIDEO: Defense Minister On Wike Vs AM Yerima:
“we will NOT allow anything to happen to him so far he is doing his job, and he is doing his job greatly well” pic.twitter.com/B7KcAAboEM
— Angel Network News (@angelnetnews) November 12, 2025
He added: “We are looking into this issue, and I assure you that any officer performing his duty legitimately will be fully protected.”
The clash, captured in viral footage, unfolded as Wike inspected the site in question, with Yerima asserting his orders to secure the area, sparking accusations of overreach from the FCT chief.
