By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Soldiers on Tuesday prevented the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and his entourage from entering a plot of land in Gaduwa, leading to a tense standoff between the former Rivers State governor and the military.
According to a report from Channels TV, the confrontation happened when Wike and officials from the FCTA attempted to access the land but were blocked by armed personnel. One of Wike’s aides reportedly confronted the soldiers, saying: “This is unprofessional. You cannot be threatening a minister like this.”
Speaking on the incident, Wike criticised the soldiers’ conduct, stressing that no one is above the law. “You cannot carry a gun to intimidate anybody. I am not one of those that can be intimidated,” he declared. He further noted that the FCTA did not possess any legal documents assigning the land to the military and accused the officers of acting with impunity.
The FCT minister also spoke against the use of force to resolve disputes, stating, “I don’t understand how someone in such a position cannot follow proper channels instead of intimidating Nigerians.”
The soldiers, however, maintained that they were acting under the orders of a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo, and refused to vacate the area.
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