A former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), has issued a stern warning regarding the confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a Nigerian Navy officer in Abuja, describing it as a “clear and present danger to national security.”
He called for immediate corrective measures to address the incident.
In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, Buratai condemned Wike’s actions during the altercation, stating that the minister’s behaviour went beyond simple misconduct.
He emphasised that it “undermines the authority of the Commander-in-Chief and the integrity of the Armed Forces.”
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The clash occurred at Plot 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja, over a dispute concerning the ownership and development rights to a piece of land allegedly connected to a former Chief of Naval Staff.
Wike, accompanied by senior officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), had visited the site to halt what he called an “illegal construction” when the confrontation with the naval officer occurred.
In a viral video of the incident, Wike is seen angrily questioning the officer’s authority, asserting that no one, regardless of military rank, was above the law. “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,” Wike was heard saying.
The officer, whose identity has not been officially revealed by the Nigerian Navy, responded by stating that the land belonged to a former service chief and that the military had the right to safeguard the property.
Buratai strongly criticised Wike’s behaviour, arguing that the public reprimand of a uniformed officer was a “reckless act” that struck at the heart of Nigeria’s command and control structure. “A minister’s verbal assault on a military officer in uniform is a profound act of indiscipline that threatens the very foundation of our national security,” Buratai stated. “This is not a matter of political theatre—it is a reckless disregard for national order.”
The former army chief further asserted that Wike’s actions reflected an attempt to undermine the authority of the Federal Government, disrespected the Commander-in-Chief, and dealt a blow to the morale of every officer serving under Nigeria’s flag.
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Buratai, who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021, urged President Bola Tinubu to treat the matter as a national security crisis, demanding that Wike issue a public apology to President Tinubu as Commander-in-Chief, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and the officer whose honour was tarnished.
“The integrity of our Armed Forces requires no less,” Buratai concluded. “Our nation’s security must come first. It is time for decisive action, not political rhetoric that undermines our military.”
Sunday Michael Ogwu is a Nigerian journalist and editor of Pinnacle Daily. He is known for his work in business and economic reporting. He has held editorial roles in prominent Nigerian media outlets, where he has focused on economic policy, financial markets, and developmental issues affecting Nigeria and Africa more broadly.
