THIS DAWN — A former Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Army, General Tukur Buratai (Retd.) has warned that the conduct of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, “poses a clear threat to national security“.
General Buratai made the remarks following the altercation between Minister Wike and a young naval officer, Lt. A.M. Yerima, on November 11, 2025.
He said that Wike’s conduct demands an immediate and serious response.
What transpired?
On November 11, the former governor of Rivers State accused the naval officer of land grabbing in Abuja, precisely Gaduwa, before Games Village.
The land was acquired by VADM AZ Gambo in 2020, with all the legal documents.
According to a source, in September 2025, the Admiral decided to develop his land.
As work commenced, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) officials reportedly came around and requested for the documents and building approval.
The engineer provided the necessary documents.
Two days, they came back and stated that the land had been revoked by the current FCT Minister, providing no details.
They tried to stop the work which prompted the Army officers to chase them away.
Minister Wike reportedly came around by himself over the weekend and threatened to demolish the building.
On Tuesday, two bulldozers from Development Control came to demolish the building but were met with stiff resistance by the military personnel on ground.
They called Wike, who then sent the FCT Commissioner of Police, but all efforts proved abortive.
Wike came down himself and the military personnel blocked him at the entrance gaining access to the facility.
Buratai rebukes Wike
In a piece entitled “Urgent Action Required As Minister Wike’s Conduct Poses A Clear Threat To National Security“, Buratai strongly rebuked Wike.
According to him, his public disparagement of a uniformed officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces transcends mere misconduct.
“It represents a palpable threat to national security and institutional integrity.
“A minister’s verbal assault on a military officer in uniform is an act of profound indiscipline that strikes at the core of our nation’s command and control structure.
“It deliberately undermines the chain of command, disrespects the authority of the Commander-in-Chief, and grievously wounds the morale of every individual who serves under the Nigerian flag.
“Such actions erode the very foundation of discipline upon which our national security apparatus stands,” he said.
“Reckless endangerment of national order”
Buratai warned that this cannot be dismissed as political theatre, rather, a reckless endangerment of national order.
“This action by Wike is clearly an indication of undermining the federal government’s authority,” he said.
Consequently, the former Chief of Staff asked Wike to tender an immediate and unequivocal public apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Commander-in-Chief, the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria, and the specific officer whose honour was violated.
“Our nation’s security must come first. It is time for decisive action, not politics of military bashing.
“The integrity of our Armed Forces demands nothing less,” Buratai insisted.
In the meantime, the internet is awash with banters for and against the development.
Wike, on his part, has yet to issue an official statement.
