A former Niger Delta militant leader, Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo, has called for the court-martial and disciplinary action against a naval officer who clashed with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, during an argument over a disputed property in Abuja.
The incident, which occurred at Plot 1946, Gaduwa District, has sparked public debate over military conduct and the authority of the FCT minister in managing land matters in the nation’s capital.
According to reports, the confrontation happened when a naval officer identified as A.M. Yerima, who claimed to be acting on the instructions of former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awal Gambo (rtd), stopped Wike and officials of the FCT Administration from accessing the disputed land.
The officer allegedly blocked the minister’s convoy and engaged him in a heated exchange, insisting that the land belonged to the Nigerian Navy.
Wike, who has made demolition of illegal structures and recovery of encroached public land a key part of his tenure, was said to have visited the site to inspect ongoing development in the area.
Eyewitnesses said the confrontation drew attention from both government officials and security operatives, causing tension at the scene before the situation was eventually brought under control.
Reacting to the incident in a video posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday, Asari Dokubo condemned the naval officer’s actions, describing the confrontation as a challenge to civil authority and a violation of military discipline.
“I’m not taking sides with Wike; I’m taking sides with what is the law, the rule, and the convention,” Dokubo said.
“What happened yesterday—in any sane society—that person would be reprimanded and detained. The confrontation with the Minister of FCT is uncalled for. The minister is the governor of the FCT and, constitutionally, he is the chief security officer, next to the president, of the city of Abuja.”
Dokubo, who has had a long history of activism and political commentary, argued that military officers are not above the law and must respect the authority of civilian leaders.
“A military man is subject to the Constitution; he is not above it. If Wike himself had not gone there, people would say government officials do not take their work seriously,” he said.
The ex-militant leader further stressed that the officer involved, Lieutenant Commander Yerima, should face disciplinary measures within the military system.
“I might not like Wike—our relationship has had ups and downs—but in any sane society, that fellow ought to have been court-martialled. It can’t happen anywhere outside Nigeria,” Dokubo stated.
He also emphasized that the Nigerian capital has clear rules governing land allocation and development, warning that uniformed officers should not use their positions to break those laws.
“There is law in Abuja, and nobody has the right to develop a piece of property without following the laid-down rules and regulations,” he said.
The latest face-off adds to a growing number of clashes between government officials and individuals or organizations over land ownership in Abuja.
Since assuming office in August 2023, Nyesom Wike—former Governor of Rivers State—has launched a campaign to recover public lands and demolish illegal structures, insisting that the FCT must be properly planned and developed according to the city’s master plan.
While some residents have praised Wike’s firm approach, others have criticized his methods, accusing him of being too confrontational and sometimes high-handed.
As Minister of the FCT, Wike holds similar powers to those of a state governor. He oversees land allocation, urban development, and public infrastructure in the capital city, working directly under the President.
By law, the FCT minister is also regarded as the Chief Security Officer of Abuja, a position that places him above all security operatives within the territory except the President and Commander-in-Chief.
This explains why Asari Dokubo and others see the confrontation as more than a personal dispute—it touches on the issue of civilian control over the military, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s democracy since 1999.
Asari Dokubo concluded his remarks by urging the military and government institutions to respect boundaries and uphold the rule of law.
“In an executive system of government, I didn’t see anything wrong with the minister going there. Nobody can accept that sort of affront from somebody who, by law, ought to see you as his superior,” he said.
He warned that allowing such incidents to go unpunished could embolden others to disregard lawful authority and cause further disorder.
