Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has assured that Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima, the naval officer who engaged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike in a heated exchange that he would not face any disciplinary action.
Matawalle gave the assurance during an interview with DCL Hausa.
Yerima, who was on duty, confronted Wike over a disputed piece of land at Gaduwa District, Abuja.
Wike was at Plot 1946 on Monday where he accused soldiers of preventing officials from the FCT Department of Development Control from enforcing a stop-work order.
- PDP insists national convention will as scheduled in Ibadan
- Gov Lawal Pledges Continued Support for Tsafe Medical University
The land is allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd).
However, the soldiers stationed at the site blocked the minister’s entry prompting the confrontation.
Wike later claimed that the developers lacked valid documents or legal approval for the construction on the site.
But reacting to the incident, Matawalle said the matter should have been handled through proper channels rather than through a public altercation.
He commended Yerima’s composure during the confrontation, describing his conduct as disciplined and professional.
Matawalle also disclosed that the Chief of Naval Staff has commenced an investigation into the disputed land, while clarifying that no formal complaint has yet been received from the FCT Minister.
He said, “The minister should not have confronted him. Lieutenant Yerima was acting on orders. If Wike had any concerns, he should have spoken to his superiors or to me directly since I oversee naval affairs,” Matawalle said.
“You can clearly see that he was respectful while standing his ground. As far as we are concerned, he did not break any law or military regulation,” the minister added.
“This whole situation was avoidable. Before the minister went there, he had already spoken with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, who assured him that the matter would be looked into.”
