Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has said no officer or soldier on lawful duty would be punished as a result of the altercation that ensued between soldiers and the Minister of the FCT, Barr Nyesom Wike, in Abuja on Tuesday

Speaking on the occasion of the ministerial briefing to flag off the 2026 Armed Forces remembrance day celebration at the National Defence College, Badaru said: “We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty. Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and if he does it well.”

Recall that after the altercation between the minister and the officer who led soldiers to safeguard a landed property in Abuja, a coalition of retired veterans of the Nigerian military had vowed that their members would mobilise and occupy the ministry of the FCT in Abuja if the officer who, it said, was acting on a lawful order, was punished in any way.

On the security challenges confronting the country, the minister said: “Under the leadership and direction of President Bola Tinubu, the Ministry of Defence has achieved significant operational milestones in safeguarding national security and protecting territorial integrity through improved synergy among the services and security agencies,.

“Within the tenure of this administration, our troops have neutralised over 13,000 terrorists and criminals, arrested more than 17,000 and rescued nearly 10,000 hostages. Over 100,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP combatants and their families have surrendered.

“These coordinated operations have led to the dismantling of key terrorist enclaves, the neutralisation of notorious bandit commanders and the restoration of peace to hundreds of communities, allowing displaced persons to return home.

“Our commitment to securing Nigeria’s vital economic assets is equally evident in the South-South, where over 1,900 illegal refining sites were destroyed.

“These expanding operational capabilities are underpinned by significant strategic modernisation. Let me be clear that despite these successes, the remnants of criminal elements still pose threats to our peace and security.

“Accordingly, the President has consistently directed the ministry of defence and the Armed Forces to sustain ongoing operations and intensify efforts until all remaining threats are eliminated.

“However, the task is not for the government alone. This is why we are strengthening a whole-of-society approach that brings together government, civil society, traditional institutions, academia, and the private sector in a common front against insecurity.

“The signing of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, Act in 2023 marks a milestone in indigenous defence production, positioning Nigeria as an emerging hub for defence technology in the region.

“Coupled with the procurement of advanced platforms, including Armoured Fighting Vehicles, AFVs, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and naval vessels, this modernization enhances our operational readiness and will eventually reduce our reliance on imports.

However, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, alleged yesterday that former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, retd, was deceived into purchasing land in Abuja that had originally been designated for park and recreational purposes.

In a post on his X handle, Olayinka claimed that the retired naval officer was “duped” by individuals, who sold the land to him and several others, despite its status as non-residential property.

He argued that rather than directing anger at officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, who were enforcing land-use regulations, the former naval chief should focus on taking action against those who sold the disputed land.

“Vice Admiral Gambo was scammed. He needs to use his military might against the person who sold land meant for park and recreation to him to build duplexes, not FCTA officials carrying out their lawful duties,” Olayinka wrote.

According to him, the land in question was allocated to Santos Estate Limited in 2007 for park and recreation.

He said: “In 2022, the company wrote to the then FCT minister, seeking approval to change land use purpose to residential.

“While still waiting for response to this request, the company decided to partition the land and sell to people, including the former Chief of Naval Staff.

“The then FCT minister declined the request to change the land use purpose from park and recreation to residential.

“Meanwhile, Santos Estate Limited already sold the land to unsuspecting people, including the former CNS, who is building duplexes on his own.

“Like I said earlier, shouldn’t the former Chief of Naval Staff be more concerned with the person who scammed him, rather than using military might to hold on to a property on which he was duped?” he queried.

On comments made by Lt. General Tukur Buratai, former chief of army staff, Olayinka said: “I read the statement made by the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai. As Director General of Rotimi Amaechi Campaign, Buratai has done his job.”