A serious confrontation unfolded in the nation's capital on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, when armed soldiers prevented the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, from entering a parcel of land in the Gaduwa district of Abuja.
Heated Exchange Between Minister and Military
The incident occurred as Minister Wike, accompanied by officials from the Federal Capital Territory Development Association (FCDA), arrived at the site. The military personnel, however, stood their ground and refused the minister's entry, stating they were acting on orders from above.
An visibly angry Wike engaged the soldiers in a tense exchange. He was recorded raising his voice and insulting an officer, calling him a "fool." The soldier involved maintained his composure, replying calmly, "I am not a fool but an officer." Despite attempts by the minister's security detail to intervene, the soldiers remained resolute in their directive to block access.
Wike's Defiant Stance Against Intimidation
In his reaction to the blockade, Minister Wike declared that he would not be intimidated by the show of military force. He questioned the rationale behind the soldiers' actions and their failure to use official channels.
"You cannot be higher than any government," Wike asserted. "You cannot be carrying a gun to intimidate anybody. I am not one of those that they can intimidate."
He further expressed his disappointment, stating that a professional approach would have been for the concerned parties to bring the issue to his office for resolution instead of resorting to what he perceived as strong-arm tactics against a sitting minister.
Viral Video Sparks Widespread Reactions
A video capturing the entire standoff quickly spread across various social media platforms, sparking intense debates and reactions from the Nigerian public. The viral clip has raised significant questions about the relationship between civilian authorities and security forces in the Federal Capital Territory, turning a local incident into a subject of national discourse.
