Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has assured that no military officer or soldier performing lawful duty will be punished over the recent altercation between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and some soldiers in Abuja.
Speaking at the ministerial briefing to flag off the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the National Defence College, Badaru said:
“We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty. Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and if he does it well.”
His remarks come after a coalition of retired veterans vowed to mobilise and occupy the FCT ministry if the officer involved in the clash who they said acted on lawful orders, was punished in any way.
On Nigeria’s security situation, Badaru highlighted the military’s progress under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, noting:
“Our troops have neutralised over 13,000 terrorists and criminals, arrested more than 17,000, and rescued nearly 10,000 hostages. Over 100,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP combatants and their families have surrendered.”
He added that coordinated operations have dismantled major terrorist camps and restored peace in hundreds of communities, enabling displaced persons to return home.
Badaru also disclosed that over 1,900 illegal refining sites had been destroyed in the South-South as part of efforts to safeguard national economic assets.
He noted that the signing of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act 2023 marked a milestone in local defence production, supported by the acquisition of Armoured Fighting Vehicles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and naval vessels, which would strengthen operational readiness and reduce dependence on imports.
“Despite these successes, remnants of criminal elements still pose threats. The President has directed the Armed Forces to sustain and intensify operations until all threats are eliminated,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to Minister Wike, alleged that former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd.), was deceived into purchasing land in Abuja that had been originally designated for park and recreational purposes.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Olayinka claimed that Gambo was “duped” by individuals who sold him and others the land, despite its status as non-residential property.
“Vice Admiral Gambo was scammed. He needs to use his military might against the person who sold land meant for park and recreation to him to build duplexes, not FCTA officials carrying out their lawful duties,” Olayinka wrote.
He explained that the land was allocated to Santos Estate Limited in 2007 for park and recreation purposes. In 2022, the company requested a change of land use to residential, but while awaiting a response, it began selling the land to unsuspecting buyers, including the retired naval chief.
“The then FCT minister declined the request to change the land use purpose from park and recreation to residential,” Olayinka added.
He queried why the former naval chief was “using military might” to retain a property obtained under questionable circumstances, insisting that his grievance should be directed at those who misled him.
Responding to remarks by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai (retd.), Olayinka said:
“I read the statement made by the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai. As Director General of Rotimi Amaechi’s campaign, Buratai has done his job.”
