During a press briefing at the National Defence College in Abuja on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, held to kick off activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru addressed the recent clash between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Naval officer Lt. A.M. Yerima over a disputed plot of land in Abuja.
Badaru stated:
“We are looking into this issue, and we assure all that any officer on lawful duty will be highly protected. We will not allow anything to happen to him so long as he is doing his job, and he is doing his job very well.” The Punch
The minister emphasized that the Armed Forces will not abandon personnel who are carrying out legitimate assignments, suggesting that Yerima acted within his mandate. This comes after Yerima was seen in a viral video confronting Wike, who ordered him to “shut up” during a heated exchange over land reportedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo.
Badaru’s remarks align with earlier statements from military circles defending Yerima’s conduct, while legal experts like Prof. Sebastine Hon (SAN) have argued that the officer breached civil authority protocols The Punch GistReel Ripples Nigeria.
The Defence Ministry’s review may determine whether disciplinary action or policy clarification is needed to prevent future civil-military confrontations.
