The soldier who confronted FCT Minister Nyesom Wike during a heated land dispute in Gaduwa District, Abuja has been identified as Lt. A.M. Yarima of the Nigerian Navy, Dockaysworld can confirm
The clash happened on Tuesday at Plot 1946, a parcel the FCT Administration says is a buffer and not approved for development.
The plot is said to belong to retired Chief of Naval Staff Vice-Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo.
Wike’s team had moved to stop work on the disputed Gaduwa site after reports that armed naval officers had threatened FCTA officials enforcing a development halt.
Confronted by the minister, Lt. Yarima maintained the land was lawfully owned and, despite mounting tension and security intervention, refused to back down, insisting he acted under orders.
The exchange between them went thus:
Wike: “You cannot tell me that. You cannot continue to act with impunity in this way and you cannot continue to work illegally. You are not the one to say we have documents. It does not matter.”
Yarima: “It matters. I am an officer. I take order from a three-star General.”
Wike: “There is no order than me, you are taking an illegal order. You will never develop this plot. I will never allow it.”
Yarima: “No problem, sir. I am only acting on my order.”
Wike: “If you want to kill everybody, kill everybody.”
Yarima: “We will not kill anybody, sir.”
Wike: “You will put yourself in trouble.”
Yarima: “You cannot shut me up, you are my juniors. You cannot even talk when I am talking. I am talking and policemen are talking.”
Wike: “This land does not belong to him (Gambo). If you have a problem, come and see me in office to resolve this. And as officer, you should know that carrying guns about and intimidating Nigerians is not the best way. It is the reason why I came. But nobody will die, anyway.”
Wike: “You are going about to encroach somebody’s land, because you are an officer. Nobody does that.”
Yarima: “We did not carry anybody’s land.”
Wike: “The man took land and I will not allow that because he was Chief of Naval Staff…”
Yarima: “Everything was acquired legally.”
Wike: “Will you stop that…!”
Yarima: “I am an officer, I have integrity.”
Wike: “Shut up your mouth, who does that…”
Yarima: “I won’t shut up. You can’t shut me up.”
Wike: “Will you keep quiet. Are you a big fool?”
Yarima: “I am not a fool sir. I am acting on orders.”
Wike: “Which orders?”
Yarima: “You can’t call me a fool. I am a commissioned officer.”
Wike: “Go and develop the land. Let me see you.”
See photo below
