Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has described the recent confrontation between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Naval officer Lieutenant A.M. Yerima as “unnecessary and avoidable,” urging public officials to respect military protocols and personnel.

In an interview with DCL Hausa, Matawalle revealed that Wike had previously contacted both the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff regarding the disputed land in Abuja’s Gaduwa District. Both military chiefs reportedly advised Wike to allow the matter to be handled internally through military investigation. However, Wike allegedly ignored the advice and proceeded to the site, where he confronted officers acting under lawful orders from their superiors.

Matawalle expressed disappointment over the altercation, stating:

“What happened between Minister Wike and the officer is unfortunate. When he got there, the officer explained that he was simply obeying orders given to him. Wike should not have exchanged words with the officer; he ought to have addressed his concerns through the officer’s superiors.”

He emphasized that Lieutenant Yerima’s conduct was professional and in line with military discipline. The officer, according to Matawalle, did not violate any military regulations and should be commended for his respectful demeanor during the encounter.

“He did not commit any offence under military regulations. He merely obeyed a lawful order and followed due process. If you observe carefully, he spoke respectfully and conducted himself properly,” Matawalle added.

The Defence Minister, who previously served as Governor of Zamfara State, further cautioned government officials against undermining uniformed personnel. He stressed that such actions not only disrespect the individual officers but also the authority of the President, who serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“Anyone who disrespects a soldier indirectly disrespects the President. There is no basis for any punishment against the officer,” he said.

The incident, which was captured on video and widely circulated online, has sparked national debate over civil-military relations and the boundaries of political authority. The land in question is reportedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd), adding further complexity to the dispute.