A tense standoff occurred in Abuja on Tuesday between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, and a group of soldiers who prevented him and his entourage from accessing a disputed parcel of land in the Gaduwa district.

Witnesses said the confrontation began when soldiers stationed on the site stopped the minister’s convoy, insisting he could not enter the area.

“This is unprofessional. You cannot be threatening a minister like this,” one of the officials accompanying Mr. Wike was heard saying as the minister attempted to gain entry.

Visibly angered by the soldiers’ conduct, the FCT Minister questioned their authority to deny him access, stressing that no one was above the law.

“It’s really unfortunate,” Mr. Wike said after the altercation. “I don’t understand how someone who once held such a high office cannot simply approach my office to resolve a matter like this. Instead, because he is a military man, he feels he can intimidate Nigerians. I’m not one of those who will succumb to blackmail.”

Mr. Wike alleged that the soldiers were acting under the instruction of a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (rtd.), but insisted that the FCT Administration had no record showing that the land had been legally allocated.

“There is no legal document in our records allocating that land to anyone,” he stated, vowing that such acts of impunity would not be tolerated under his administration.

Despite the minister’s position, the soldiers reportedly maintained their stance, insisting they were acting based on directives from the retired naval chief.