{"id":123733,"date":"2025-11-11T20:06:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T19:06:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=123733"},"modified":"2025-11-11T20:06:24","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T19:06:24","slug":"wike-orders-military-out-of-abuja-land-slams-ex-naval-chief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/exclusive\/wike-orders-military-out-of-abuja-land-slams-ex-naval-chief\/","title":{"rendered":"Wike Orders Military Out of Abuja Land, Slams Ex-Naval Chief"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
By Lizzy Chirkpi<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has condemned what he described as the illegal occupation and development of a disputed parcel of land in Abuja by military personnel allegedly acting on the orders of a former Chief of Naval Staff.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Wike, who visited the site on Tuesday following reports that soldiers had driven away FCTA officials on enforcement duty, said the Federal Capital Territory Administration would not tolerate any act of intimidation or abuse of power by individuals no matter their former position.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cYou are aware that the land departments and the Development Control have the mandate to monitor illegal development and land grabbing,\u201d Wike stated.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cWhen this was brought to my attention, I instructed them to ensure that nothing takes place there, as there were no legal documents, no regional approval, and no valid acquisition.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The minister expressed anger that FCTA officials enforcing his directive were chased away by armed soldiers, describing the action as shameful and illegal.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cI was informed that the soldiers had to chase them away, and I thought they were acting illegally,\u201d he said. \u201cToday, while I was in the office, I got another report that the military had taken over the place. I had to come myself to see things. It\u2019s really unfortunate.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Wike questioned why a retired senior officer who once held a high military office would resort to such unlawful conduct instead of following due process.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t understand how somebody who attained that position cannot approach my office to say, \u2018Look, this is what is going on,\u2019\u201d he said. \u201cBut simply because he\u2019s a military man, he thinks he can use that to intimidate Nigerians. I am not one of those that will succumb to blackmail or intimidation.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The minister disclosed that when the FCTA team demanded relevant documents justifying the occupation of the land, none were produced.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cThe Director of Development Control said, \u2018Bring the documents\u2019 if they don\u2019t have them. \u2018Bring approval for building they don\u2019t have it. How can we continue to allow lawlessness to prevail? What about those who don\u2019t have the military behind them? What about ordinary Nigerians?\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Wike emphasized that the FCT Administration would resist any attempt to use military influence to flout urban development laws, stressing that the rule of law must apply equally to all citizens.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cI have spoken to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff. They assured me that the matter will be resolved. We\u2019re not here to have a shootout with anybody or cause chaos,\u201d he explained. \u201cBut I will not allow this to happen. The same way we enforce our laws in other areas is the same way it will be done here. Nobody, whether a former Chief of Naval Staff or anyone else will be allowed to carry out illegal development on government land.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Reiterating his administration\u2019s resolve to restore sanity in Abuja\u2019s land administration, Wike vowed that all encroachments would be reclaimed, no matter how powerful those involved may be.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cWe will continue to enforce our laws without fear or favour,\u201d the minister affirmed. \u201cAbuja belongs to all Nigerians, and no one is above the law.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n