Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), has warned that the confrontation between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a Nigerian Navy officer in Abuja poses a significant threat to national security.
The incident, which occurred at Plot 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja, stemmed from a dispute over ownership and development rights to a parcel of land allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff.
In a viral video, Wike expressed outrage at the officer’s presence, stating, “You are in uniform, and you’re telling me that the Navy owns this land? Who gave you the right to build without approval? Even if you are the Chief of Naval Staff, the law must be respected.” The officer responded that the property belonged to a former service chief and that the military had authorization to protect it.
Buratai condemned Wike’s actions, saying, “A minister’s verbal assault on a military officer in uniform is an act of profound indiscipline that strikes at the very foundation of our national security apparatus. It is not political theatre, it is a reckless endangerment of national order.” He added, “This action by Wike is clearly an indication of undermining the Federal Government’s authority.
It disrespects the Commander-in-Chief and wounds the morale of every officer who serves under the Nigerian flag.”
Buratai urged President Bola Tinubu to treat the matter as a national security concern, stating, “Barrister Nyesom Wike must tender an immediate and unequivocal public apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Commander-in-Chief, to the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and to the specific officer whose honour was violated.
“He emphasized, “The integrity of our Armed Forces demands nothing less. Our nation’s security must come first. It is time for decisive action, not politics of military bashing”.
