The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has assured that Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima, the naval officer who had a verbal confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, will not face any disciplinary action.
Matawalle gave the assurance during an interview with DCL Hausa, following widespread public speculation about possible sanctions against the officer after a video of his encounter with Wike went viral on social media.
The video, recorded during Wike’s visit to a disputed plot of land in the Gaduwa District of Abuja, showed the FCT minister in a tense exchange with the young naval officer, who stood his ground respectfully.
Wike had visited Plot 1946 on Monday, where he accused soldiers of preventing officials of the FCT Department of Development Control from enforcing a stop-work order. The land is allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd). Soldiers reportedly blocked the minister’s entry, prompting the confrontation. Wike later alleged that the developers lacked valid documents or legal approval for the construction on the site.
Reacting to the incident, Matawalle faulted the public altercation, saying the matter should have been handled through proper channels.
“The minister should not have confronted him. Lieutenant Yerima was acting on orders. If Wike had any concerns, he should have spoken to his superiors or to me directly since I oversee naval affairs,” he said.
The minister commended Lieutenant Yerima’s composure, describing his conduct as disciplined and professional.
“You can clearly see that he was respectful while standing his ground. As far as we are concerned, he did not break any law or military regulation,” Matawalle added.
He further disclosed that the Chief of Naval Staff has commenced an investigation into the ownership of the disputed land, adding that no formal complaint had yet been received from the FCT Minister.
“This whole situation was avoidable. Before the minister went there, he had already spoken with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, who assured him that the matter would be looked into,” Matawalle explained.
(Nigerian Tracker)