Military veterans slam Wike over clash with naval officer, demand apology

Wike

A coalition of Nigerian military veterans has condemned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over a recent confrontation with a naval officer during an enforcement visit to a disputed land in Abuja.

A video obtained by our correspondent earlier showed Wike in a heated exchange with some naval personnel at a site in the Gaduwa area of the FCT.

The minister had visited the location as part of an enforcement operation and questioned the presence of military personnel allegedly guarding the land.

In the footage, Wike accused the officers of supporting an illegal development, while one of the naval personnel insisted they were acting on orders and that the land belonged to a former Chief of Naval Staff.

The altercation escalated, with Wike reportedly using harsh language against the officer.

The incident drew mixed reactions online. While some commentators criticised the officer for challenging a serving cabinet minister, others defended the officer’s conduct.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, the Coalition of Military Veterans criticised Wike for verbally insulting the officer during the encounter. Punch