Armed military officers, acting on the instructions of a former Chief of Naval Staff, resisted efforts by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to halt alleged illegal development of a property on Plot 1946 in Gaduwa District l, Abuja.
The incident occurred when the officers stationed at the site stopped the FCT Administration officials sent to demolish the alleged unapproved development on Tuesday.
Mr Wike, accompanied by the police commissioner in FCT, Miller Dantawaye, was initially denied access to the land located on plot 1946.
However, despite the relentless efforts of the aggrieved officers under the control of a naval officer on the site, Mr Wike was shoved by his security aides to access the site.
The minister vowed to resist what he described as an “illegal land grabbing.”
He accused the retired military officer of carrying out a development on government land without the requisite papers.
The minister said the military officers’ actions would not intimidate him and vowed to stop the illegal development.
“Despite the military intimidation, I will not succumb and allow this land grabbing,” said Mr Wike. “It is an illegality that must not stand.”
Mr Wike said he had already contacted the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, both of whom, he claimed, assured him that the situation would be resolved.
“We cannot continue to allow lawlessness to prevail in this country. What about those who do not have the military or security to protect them? It is really unfortunate.
“I don’t understand how someone who once occupied such a high position cannot come to my office to resolve an issue but instead uses soldiers to intimidate people.
“When government officials are carrying out their duties, some people think they can use force to intimidate them. I will not accept that. I will not succumb to blackmail or intimidation,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed that the FCTA’s efforts to curb illegal developments would continue without fear or favour.
“He will not carry out this illegal development simply because he was a former Chief of Naval Staff. I will not allow that,” Mr Wike insisted.
Earlier, Mukhtar Galadima, director of development control, explained that the property in question had not been allocated by the FCT Administration and lacked valid documents of ownership or building approval.
Responding, the naval officer at the site ordered his men to maintain their ground, saying, “I am acting on instruction from above.”
He further explained, “This is not an illegal development. I have forwarded all the documents to the officials in charge.”
(NAN)
