A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Joe Igbokwe, has called for the immediate dismissal of a Nigerian Army officer who engaged in a heated confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Political Figure Condemns Military Officer's Conduct
In a strongly worded social media post, Igbokwe specifically targeted Lieutenant Yarima, describing the officer's behavior as disrespectful to constituted authority. The APC stalwart demanded that the military hierarchy remove the officer's uniform without delay.
"This is the young man, Lt. Yarima, that challenged FCT 001, His Excellency Nyesom Wike," Igbokwe wrote. "The young officer has no respect for constituted authority. This is unacceptable. His uniform should be removed ASAP."
Tense Standoff in Gaduwa Area
The controversy stems from a viral video that captured a dramatic encounter between Minister Wike and military personnel in the Gaduwa district of Abuja. The incident occurred on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, when soldiers reportedly blocked the minister from accessing a piece of land.
Footage from the confrontation shows an angry Wike exchanging harsh words with the armed soldiers who prevented his entry to the property. The minister was heard shouting "You are a fool" at one of the officers, to which Lieutenant Yarima calmly responded, "I am not a fool but an officer."
Despite efforts by Wike's security team to resolve the situation, the military personnel stood their ground, insisting they were acting on "orders from above."
Minister Vows Not to Be Intimidated
During the heated exchange, Minister Wike made it clear he would not be intimidated by the presence of armed personnel. The FCT minister emphasized that no one is above civil authority, regardless of their position or weapons.
"You cannot be higher than any government. You cannot carry a gun to intimidate anybody. I am not one of those that they can intimidate," Wike declared forcefully.
The minister expressed disappointment that the military officer hadn't approached his office to resolve whatever issues existed, suggesting that the uniform shouldn't be used as a tool to intimidate Nigerian citizens.
However, Igbokwe maintains that the soldier's conduct represents gross insubordination that should not be tolerated within the military ranks. The political figure's demand for immediate disciplinary action has added a new dimension to the ongoing discussion about civil-military relations in Nigeria.
