Wike vs Navy: Defence Minister Vows to Protect Officers Amid Clash

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding all military personnel performing lawful duties across the country.

Naija News reports that Badaru gave the assurance on Wednesday while addressing journalists during a ministerial press briefing at the National Defence College, Abuja, ahead of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.

His comments come in the wake of Tuesday’s altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, Lieutenant A. M. Yerima, over the development of a disputed parcel of land in Abuja allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo.

Responding to questions on the confrontation, the Defence Minister said the ministry was already reviewing the situation but stressed that the armed forces would not abandon any officer who acted within the scope of lawful authority.

Badaru said, “Well, at the Ministry, and indeed the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty.

“We are looking into this issue, and we assure that any officer on lawful duty will be protected highly. We will not allow anything to happen to him so far he is doing his job, and he’s doing his job greatly well.”

The comments come amid public outrage over a viral video showing the FCT Minister in a heated confrontation with a naval officer at a construction site in Gaduwa District, Abuja.

In the video, Wike accused the officer of unlawfully blocking his access to the property, insisting that no one, regardless of status, was above the law.

The officer, however, maintained that he was acting on superior orders, sparking an exchange that has since divided public opinion.