The highly-watched video of naval officer Lt. A.M. Yerima standing off with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in Abuja has taken Nigeria’s social m...
The highly-watched video of naval officer Lt. A.M. Yerima standing off with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in Abuja has taken Nigeria’s social media by storm. Now the country’s defence leadership has weighed in, stating that Yerima did not break any law or military regulation. It’s a rare show of support that echoes past moments when military personnel were publicly defended following confrontations, giving us a deeper look into civil-military dynamics in Nigeria.
A tense scene played out recently in Abuja’s Gaduwa District and quickly went viral: FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in a heated exchange with Lieutenant A.M. Yerima of the Nigerian Navy, who was stopping officials from entering a disputed plot of land. Rather than let the story fade, the nation’s defence establishment decided to speak up.
What really happened
The video shows Wike demanding to see proper documentation while the naval officer calmly states he is operating on orders. One line stands out: the officer said, “I’m not a fool, sir.
Minutes later, both sides argued over protocol, authority and who had the right to act. The clip spread across X, Facebook and WhatsApp groups, triggering a wave of commentary.
Defence Ministry takes a stand
The first major official reaction came from the Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru, who said the government “will always protect our officer … he has done well. We won’t allow anything happen to him.
Then the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, echoed the message, stating there was no basis to sanction Lt. Yerima. He noted the officer acted “strictly under orders, professionally and with composure.”
Matawalle also pointed to protocols he claimed were ignored: he says Wike should’ve contacted military superiors instead of confronting a junior officer directly.
Why this matters
This isn’t just about one video or one officer — it taps into broader concerns about how civil authorities, military personnel and land rights interact in Nigeria. The fact that the defence establishment publicly defended the officer adds weight to the message that uniforms must be respected and orders followed.
Comparably, when civil authorities in other countries clash with security forces, the ripple effects can be huge — from questions of impunity to the boundaries of power.
The land dispute context
According to reports, the land in question is in Gaduwa and allegedly linked to a retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd). Wike’s entourage was reportedly on an enforcement exercise when they were blocked by naval personnel.
The naval side claims all documents were in order; Wike’s side says the occupation or development was irregular. A saga of civil-military lands, literally.
Public reaction and implications
Many Nigerians applauded Lt. Yerima for standing his ground, calling the moment a rare win for discipline and courage. Others worried about the optics: a minister confronting a serving officer might set dangerous precedents.
Institutionally, the defence ministry’s backing might calm internal anxieties within the military about loyalty and civilian interference. But at public level, the story raises questions: Who enforces land laws? Should the military be involved in what looks like a civil matter?
What happens next
An investigation has been promised, with the Chief of Naval Staff reportedly taking interest in the matter. Meanwhile, Wike’s team and the naval establishment will likely be under scrutiny — for how the land issue was handled and how ranks and authority functioned in public.
Whatever the outcome, this moment will live on in Nigeria’s media: a uniformed officer, a minister and a stand-off that many feel captures something larger than just one piece of land.