Abuja

The Nigerian Navy has remained silent following a heated confrontation between some of its personnel and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over an alleged land-grabbing incident in the Gaduwa District of Abuja. When contacted on Tuesday for a response, the Navy spokesman, A. Adams-Aliyu, simply said, “No reply for now.” The confrontation reportedly occurred when Wike visited the disputed site and accused the military of taking over the land illegally. A video circulating on social media shows the visibly enraged minister questioning why the military would lay claim to a property allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff. Read Also: Wike, Soldiers Clash Over Land Dispute in Abuja “Because you are an officer? Nobody does that. The man took land because he was the Chief of Naval Staff?” Wike queried. An officer dressed in military camouflage, however, interrupted the minister, insisting that the property was legally acquired. “I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally,” the officer replied. This interjection further angered Wike, who ordered the officer to keep quiet, saying, “You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.” The officer maintained that he was deployed to the site on official orders. Wike, in response, warned him not to develop the land without proper documentation, saying, “You will see if you will not leave here. Go and develop there and let me see.” In a statement by the Assistant Director of Press (Office of the Minister), Rabi Umar, the FCT Minister condemned the incident, describing it as an act of lawlessness by the military personnel. “I did instruct them (FCTA officials) to make sure that nothing takes place inasmuch as they do not have any legal paper in terms of building approval or acquisition of the land. When they came here, I was informed that the military chased them away. So today, I had to come to see things for myself,” Wike stated. Umar added that the minister questioned the deployment of military personnel to protect what he described as an illegal development and vowed that the FCTA would not tolerate such acts. “It’s really unfortunate, and you heard what the officer said — he was sent by the former Chief of Naval Staff. I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position cannot approach my office to explain what is going on. Or, simply because he’s a military man, he felt he could use that to intimidate Nigerians. I’m not one of those who will succumb to blackmail,” Wike said.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday met with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, at the State House, Abuja. The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, came just days after the President received the Archbishop of Abuja, Bishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, as part of his ongoing consultations with religious and traditional leaders across the country. According to the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Mr. Dada Olusegun, who confirmed the engagement in a post on X, the discussion aimed at promoting dialogue and strengthening social trust among Nigerians. Read Also: Tinubu Strengthens Kano Ties With Appointment of Salihu Sagir Takai Presidency sources revealed that the meeting formed part of the President’s broader consultations with moral and cultural leaders to consolidate peace, enhance national unity, and address emerging social challenges. The sources added that these engagements align with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes inclusivity, interfaith cooperation, and sustainable national stability. The consultations also come amid global discourse on religious freedom, following the recent designation of Nigeria by the United States as a “Country of Particular Concern.” While the U.S. raised concerns over alleged violations of religious rights, the Federal Government has since dismissed the claims, maintaining that Nigeria’s Constitution fully guarantees freedom of religion and interfaith harmony.

Six bills successfully scaled the first reading stage during plenary at the Senate on Wednesday, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has announced on his social media platforms. According to Senator Jibrin, two of the bills were also considered and passed for second reading after robust debate among lawmakers. He stated, “The first is the Bill for an Act to establish a comprehensive framework for the transition to electric vehicles in Nigeria, promote local manufacturing, ensure environmental sustainability, and drive economic growth, 2025. The second is a Bill for an Act to establish the National Centre for Information and Communication Technology, Nkanu West, Enugu State, and for other related matters, 2025.” Read Also: Barau Jibrin Reaffirms Tinubu’s Commitment to Quality Healthcare, Inspects Seven Projects at AKTH He added that both bills were committed to the relevant committees for further legislative scrutiny. The Senate also deliberated on a motion moved by Senator Sani Musa on the demise of former Senator Ibrahim Musa Kontagora. Senator Jibrin recalled, “Senator Kontagora, who represented Niger North Senatorial District from 2011 to 2015, passed away in August. We observed a minute of silence in his honour and resolved to send a delegation to console his family and the government of Niger State.” The Deputy Senate President described the day’s proceedings as “a demonstration of the Senate’s commitment to legislative efficiency while honouring past leaders who have contributed to Nigeria’s democratic journey.”

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of five new Permanent Secretaries to fill existing vacancies in the Federal Civil Service. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Eno Olotu, on Monday in Abuja. According to the statement, the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are Ibrahim Ozi from the Federal Capital Territory, Ezemama Chidiebere from Imo State, Garba Usman representing the North Central Geo-Political Zone, Mohammed Ishiyaku from the North East, and Ukaire Chigbowu from the South East. Read Also: Meet Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Nigeria’s New Chief of Air Staff Walson-Jack said the appointments followed a rigorous and transparent selection process in line with President Tinubu’s commitment to meritocracy and excellence in the public service. She charged the new Permanent Secretaries to bring their wealth of experience and professionalism to bear in the discharge of their duties, in order to strengthen service delivery and support the government’s development objectives. The Head of Service commended President Tinubu for his commitment to transparency, merit-based recruitment, and professionalism in the Federal Civil Service, noting that the appointments reflect the administration’s dedication to building a competent and results-driven public service that meets the needs of Nigerians.