The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has shared a cryptic message on social media following a heated confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and military personnel in Abuja.
In a flyer posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the DHQ wrote:
“IT IS AN HONOUR TO SERVE IN THE NIGERIAN MILITARY. UNSHAKEN. UNBENT. UNBROKEN.”
— DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DHQNigeria) November 11, 2025
The post came hours after Wike engaged in a verbal altercation with armed soldiers at the site of a disputed plot of land in Abuja.
According to the minister, officials from the Department of Development Control were earlier chased away from the site by soldiers allegedly acting on the instructions of a retired senior military officer.
“I was informed that soldiers had chased them away, and I thought they were acting illegally,” Wike said.
“Later, I was told the military had taken over the site. I had to come myself to see what was happening. It’s really unfortunate.”
ICYMI
Viral videos from the scene showed the FCT minister confronting a naval officer as tempers flared. Wike was seen asking the officer to “shut up,” a comment that drew an immediate reaction from the soldier.
The minister also demanded to see proof of ownership for the land, insisting that no one should use military force to intimidate officials.
“Show me the documents you have. You have no documents. This cannot continue. How can a man at his level send soldiers to intimidate people instead of meeting me directly? We are all Nigerians,” Wike said.
The confrontation has since sparked widespread debate on civil-military relations and the limits of ministerial authority in a democratic setting.
Meanwhile, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), has called on Wike to apologise to the officer involved and to President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a “verbal assault.”
