Falana, Lawan, Odinkalu, Irabor: Nigerians must respect armed forces personnel irrespective of status
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike faced widespread condemnation following a public confrontation with a Naval officer in Abuja over a disputed landed property.
The controversy deepened after the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, stated that Wike had ignored the advice of some service chiefs before proceeding to confront the officer on site.
Persecondnews reported that the encounter, which nearly devolved into a physical brawl, involved Wike, accompanied by security personnel, engaging Lieutenant Commander A.M. Yerima, much to the shock of the public.
Matawalle further explained that the naval officer acted strictly according to instructions, demonstrating discipline and respect throughout the encounter.
This explanation came hours after the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, publicly affirmed the federal government’s commitment to protecting and safeguarding armed forces personnel while they perform their lawful duties.
Speaking at a news conference to officially flag off the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) in Abuja, Badaru cautioned against actions that could undermine the authority, professionalism, or dignity of uniformed personnel.
Badaru’s comments followed a viral video showing Wike verbally assaulting the naval officer who was on guard duty at the estate land.
Meanwhile, Wike responded to former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai, arguing that Buratai had misconstrued the incident with Yerima as a threat to national security or a slight on the authority of President Bola Tinubu.
The public confrontation also drew reactions from other prominent figures including former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, who described the development as “unfortunate,” raising profound questions about public respect for state authority and national institutions.
However, legal opinions varied as lawyer and human rights activist Femi Falana (SAN), contended that both Wike and Lieutenant Commander Yerima erred before the law.
Conversely, former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Anselm Odinkalu, strongly criticised Wike, accusing him of acting outside the law in what he termed a “recent forced entry into a private property.”
Speaking in an interview on DCL Hausa, Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, reiterated his description of the incident as “unfortunate” and provided key context.
Matawalle explained that Wike had initially contacted the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, both of whom had advised him to allow the military to investigate the property issue before taking any action.
Upon Wike’s arrival at the location, the officer, Lieutenant Commander Yerima, explained that he was simply carrying out orders.
Matawalle stressed that the FCT Minister should not have exchanged words with the officer, but instead ought to have channelled his concerns through the appropriate superior officers.
He asserted that the naval officer’s actions were lawful and professional, demonstrating the discipline, loyalty, and obedience expected of a trained military officer, and thus deserved commendation.
On the officer’s conduct, Matawalle said: “He committed no offence under military law; he obeyed a lawful order and followed due process. If you observe carefully, he spoke respectfully and behaved appropriately.”
He, however, cautioned that government officials must show due respect to members of the armed forces, as any act of disrespect towards a uniformed officer indirectly undermines the authority of the President, who serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“There is no offence under military law for which the officer should be punished. Wike should not have engaged him in an altercation, especially out of respect for the uniform he was wearing.
“Anyone who disrespects a soldier indirectly disrespects the Commander-in-Chief. There is, therefore, no basis for any disciplinary action against the officer.”
Matawalle emphasized that his remarks were not intended to justify indiscipline within the military but to highlight the importance of adhering to established command procedures.
“This is not about encouraging the military to act disrespectfully towards civilians. However, the minister should understand that every officer has superiors.
“I understand that he called the Chief of Defence Staff, who advised him to wait for the outcome of an investigation,” the minister added
Wike, while addressing the media at Life Camp, blasted Buratai for asking him to apologise to Yerima for the incident, which happened in Gaduwa District of Abuja, saying the former army chief cannot educate him on decency.
The minister also did not spare Yerima for his role in the altercation that escalated over the disputed parcel of land, said to belong to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, which the FCT Administration said was illegally occupied.
He accused the naval officer of accepting an illegal order in stark contravention of the rule of law.
Wike stated: “I read what one former Chief of Army Staff wrote. He cannot tell me of decency and this he can’t teach me. This was the same man who directed his GOC to rig election, my election in 2019. He couldn’t rig me. He lost.
“He told his GOC to kill me and I could not be killed. He became an agent in APC primaries to one of APC’s presidential aspirants. Look at the rank becoming a polling agent. He is the one commenting that the minister did this and that. I have never seen people like this.
“I have no regrets for my political opponents. I will continue to make them have sleepless nights. Whether you are in PDP, whether you are in APC, whether you are in ADC, it is not my business.
“I have no regrets supporting President Tinubu and I have never hidden my intention and I will continue to do what is right. So, if you like write anything you want to write, in as much as I know, I am standing by the side of the law. If you like, bring every ethnic colouration, it is your business.”
Wike blamed Yerima for the part he played, insisting he acted within the confines of his authority as a minister representing the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
He said: “I mean, anybody should know. Yes, you are a young man and you are a commissioned officer. Mr man, I am a minister and I’m representing Mr. President, that alone should have given you that decorum. But no, no, you chose to challenge the minister representing the president.
“And then you think that I am not a human being, I have no emotions. You are carrying out an illegal job. When people say, order, do you need to carry out an illegal order? When you are an officer you are doing something illegal. Even if it’s a legal order given to you, that job you are doing is illegal.
“A professor once said that even though you’re told to obey orders, you must not obey illegal ones. He’s right. You’re obligated to obey only lawful instructions. If you follow illegal orders simply because of who gave them, you’re endangering yourself.
“Imagine being told to shoot an innocent person because a former president ordered it. You’ll still be held accountable for murder. No one is above the law.”
Wike also reaffirmed his respect for the military, stating that he would approach the Chief of Defence Staff, the Army, Navy, or Air Force leadership—or even the president – if there are grey issues to be addressed instead of resorting to confrontation or misinformation.
He accused Gambo of abuse of power as a former chief of naval staff by not emulating retired generals, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, who had the courtesy of calling him to resolve their land matters, rather than sending soldiers to attack government officials.
Wike said: “Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a general, former head of state, former president, he will call me on the phone… ‘Minister, look o! There’s this problem of land here can you’…and we will solve the problem.
“That is former head of state. Former elected president, he had the courtesy of calling the minister, look, I have this problem. See how he can look into it.
“General TY Danjuma will call you. Look at this and, and this. These are people, they are all retired generals, these are people with discipline.
“They didn’t bother because they were former chief of army staff, former president. They never sent soldiers. They never sent anybody to go and attack anybody.”
Wike said the land in question was not allocated to Gambo, but a company called Santos, in 2007 for parks and recreation, while the former minister, Mohammed Musa Bello, refused the application for a change of use, when the company applied for the purpose to the FCTA.
Also commenting, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan urged Nigerians to show respect for the country’s armed forces personnel, emphasizing that their sacrifices demand consistent national support and appreciation.
Speaking to newsmen at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, following a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Lawan stated that Nigeria’s military personnel “give their lives for the sake of this country” and must be treated with the utmost respect.
His remarks were made in the wake of the highly publicized altercation between Wike and Yerima.
Lawan, who presided over the ninth Senate and currently chairs the Senate Committee on Defence, applauded the military for its service, noting that he has firsthand knowledge of the dedication and sacrifice exhibited by security personnel.
“I know how committed our armed forces are. I know how they give their lives for the sake of this country. They deserve our respect; they deserve our support at all times.
“This administration is investing heavily in the armed forces and other security agencies, and Nigerians, regardless of status, must respect them,” he said.
On the delayed transmission of the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly, Lawan said there was “no cause for alarm,” stating that both arms of government understand the urgency of passing the budget early.
“Time is of essence when it comes to the national budget. I am sure the executive is working around the clock to finalise the estimates. Once it is presented, we will process, scrutinise and pass it without delay.”
“Mr. President, in the last two years, has taken profound steps to reposition the economy and significantly increase investments in the security sector. Our economy has stabilised, we are heading in the right direction, and there is growth—what remains is to make that growth inclusive.”
Irabor, said the incident involving the FCT minister and the naval officer should not be viewed merely as a personal confrontation. He said it should be seen as a symbolic affront to the authority of the state.
The former CDS, whose presentation was titled, “Media, Terrorism and National Security: Addressing the Complexities,” added, “The uniform is not just clothing; it represents the authority of the state.
“Whether worn by a young officer or a senior one, it symbolises the power and legitimacy vested in them by the Commander-in-Chief. Any act of disparagement or confrontation against an officer in uniform amounts to a disrespect to the state itself.”
He explained that in military law, an offence was determined by two elements: actus reus (the act itself) and mens rea (the intent behind it).
According to him, any attempt to demean or publicly insult a uniformed officer undermines not just the individual, but the very institution of national security that the uniform represents.
“Such conduct desecrates the oath of office and weakens the sanctity of the state,” Irabor added.
Irabor lamented what he described as the erosion of civic education and the diminishing public understanding of authority and duty, blaming it partly on the decline of subjects, like Civic Studies in schools.
“This lack of understanding has led to confusion, disrespect, and lawlessness,” he stated.
“The uniform helps us recognise those entrusted with law enforcement. Whether police, military, or any other security agency, they deserve respect. Even if an officer errs, there are proper channels for redress; not confrontation.”
Drawing parallel with advanced democracies, the former defence chief stressed that in civilised societies, citizens do not resort to public altercations with security officers.
“When a police officer in the United States or Europe violates the law, the response is not mob justice but legal accountability. The same standard must apply here,” he said.
He urged the media to play an active role in clarifying such issues and shaping responsible public discourse.
“Respect for authority is not optional; it is essential for national stability. When we erode that respect, we edge closer to anarchy.”
Reacting, Falana tasked President Tinubu to compel the FCT minister to apologise for using uncomplimentary remarks and abusive words against the naval officer, whom he said could have shot the minister during the confrontation.
But Falana also condemned the naval officer, Yerima, for allegedly engaging in an illegal duty of guarding a private property, and preventing the minister from carrying out his legal duty.
Falana stated that although Wike was carrying out his statutory responsibilities as enshrined in Section 11 of the Land Use Act, his failure to exercise emotional intelligence and his use of derogatory language towards the military officer were wrong.
He cited a case in Ghana where a minister had to apologise for making uncomplimentary remarks about a taxi driver, emphasising the importance of dignity and respect.
Falana declared: “On no ground should a minister force himself and abuse the military officer. No minister has the power to call any Nigerian a fool. Mr President should compel the minister to apologise. He was lucky he was not shot.
“The military officer contravened the law by preventing the minister from doing his legal duty. The officer engaged in illegal duty to guard the land of a private person.
“So when he said he was acting on superior orders; those orders are illegal. But the minister went off track. Even the president can’t call any Nigerian a fool.”
In addition, Falana praised the Naval officer’s restraint, pointing out that Nigerians were impressed by his ability to maintain patience even in the heat of provocation.
Leave a comment