Over the last 24 hours, the heated confrontation between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and a group of soldiers in Abuja has dominated public discourse across Nigeria—both online and offline.
The clash, which occurred during an enforcement operation on Tuesday, reportedly centered on a disputed plot of land allegedly connected to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd).
The property in question is located at Plot 1946 in the Gaduwa District, Abuja.
In the viral video, Wike is seen angrily confronting uniformed personnel who blocked officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) from entering the site. The visibly furious minister accused the soldiers of shielding an illegal development, saying, “Shut up! Keep quiet! You are a fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school… You send soldiers to intimidate who?”
Reactions to the incident have been mixed. While some Nigerians commended Wike’s firmness in upholding the law, others criticised his tone as unbecoming of a public officeholder. At the center of the controversy stands one key figure: Vice Admiral Gambo.
Who Is Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo?
Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo served as the 21st Chief of the Naval Staff of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Appointed in January 2021, he brought extensive experience in maritime security and defence strategy.
Early Life and Education
Born on April 22, 1966, in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, Gambo attended Gwagwarwa Special Primary School before proceeding to Rumfa College, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1984.
Naval Career
He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy on September 24, 1984, as a member of the 36 Regular Course and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant on October 24, 1989.
Vice Admiral Gambo held several key appointments in the Navy and Defence Headquarters. Under President Muhammadu Buhari, he served as Chief of Naval Staff from January 2021 to June 23, 2023.
Between 2018 and January 2021, he was Director of Procurement at the Defence Space Administration and previously served as Chief Staff Officer at the Naval Training Command, Lagos.
From 2017 to 2018, he worked as Security Coordinator for the Presidential Relief Committee on North-Eastern Nigeria and Director of Research and Rescue at Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
Earlier roles included Director of Simulation at the Naval Doctrine and Assessment Centre, Bonny Camp, Lagos (2015–2017).
Education and Training
Vice Admiral Gambo holds a Master’s degree in Transport Management (Logistics Option) from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), obtained in 2009, and a Postgraduate Diploma in 2008.
His military training includes:
- Senior Staff Course, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (2003/2004)
- Officer Long Course in Underwater Warfare, NNS QUORRA (2000)
- Junior Staff Course, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (1999)
- Young Officers Intelligence Course (1995)
He is a Fellow of the National Defence College, South Africa, and the Nigerian Institute of Management. In 2021, he received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from IRSBACCOM.
Wike on Land Disputes and Enforcement in Abuja
Since taking office in August 2023, Wike has intensified actions against unauthorised land acquisition and illegal developments in the FCT. His administration has carried out several demolitions to restore the Abuja master plan.
Speaking after Tuesday’s confrontation, Wike said he acted on reports that soldiers had chased away FCTA officials from a development control site.
“You are aware that the land departments and the development control have the mandate to monitor illegal development and land grabbing,” Wike said.
“When this was brought to my attention, I instructed them to ensure that nothing takes place there, as there were no legal documents—no regional approval, no valid acquisition.”
He explained that while officials were at the site to enforce his directive, they were allegedly forced out by armed soldiers.
“I was informed that the soldiers of the military had to chase them away, and I thought they were acting illegally,” he said. “Today, while I was in the office, I was called again that the military had taken over the place. I had to come myself to see things. It’s really unfortunate.”
Wike maintained that the government would not tolerate intimidation of its personnel and insisted that due process must apply equally to all citizens.
“I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position cannot approach my office to say, ‘Look, this is what is going on.’ But simply because he’s a military man, he thinks he can use that to intimidate Nigerians. I am not one of those that will succumb to blackmail or intimidation,” he said.
The minister stated that those occupying the disputed site could not present valid documents.
“The director of development control said, ‘Bring the documents.’ They don’t have them. ‘Bring approval for building.’ They don’t have it,” he said.
“How can we continue to allow lawlessness to prevail? What about those who don’t have the military behind them? What about ordinary Nigerians?”
Wike noted that he had spoken with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, who assured him that the matter would be resolved.
“We’re not here to have a shootout with anybody or cause chaos. But I will not allow this to happen. The same way we enforce our laws in other areas is the same way it will be done here,” he said.
“Nobody, whether a former chief of naval staff or anyone else, will be allowed to carry out illegal development on government land.”
In a related action, Wike recently granted property owners in Asokoro, Maitama, Garki, and Wuse districts a final 14-day window to pay a ₦5 million penalty for violating approved land-use regulations.
According to his media aide, Lere Olayinka, affected property owners must comply between November 11 and November 25, 2025, or face enforcement action.
