By Pius Awunah with Agency reports.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede,have defended and lauded the young naval officer, Lieutenant Ahmad M. Yarima,who had an altercation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over access to a disputed land in Abuja on Tuesday.
The minister who spoke on the issue while addressing journalists at a ministerial press briefing on the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Celebration held on Wednesday, November12,2025,at the National Defence College, Abuja,said the officer was performing a lawful duty.
When he was asked about Yerima’s conduct, the minister was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria as saying, “Well, at the ministry, and indeed the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty.
“So, we are looking into this issue, and we assure that any officer on lawful duty will be protected highly.
“We will not allow anything to happen to him, so far, he is doing his job, and he is doing his job greatly well.”
On his part,the CDS,General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede lauded the naval officer’s professionalism and maturity even in the face of provocation.
In a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday,November 12,2025, in response to the viral incident, General Oluyede applauded the officer’s calmness and professionalism despite the minister’s harsh words.
According to the statement, the CDS charged government leaders to uphold civility, especially when dealing with members of the Armed Forces.
Oluyede noted that the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) “produces officers trained in discipline, emotional intelligence, and leadership, not docility”.
According to the CDS, “the officer’s response reflects admirable composure and emotional intelligence—qualities that lie at the heart of military leadership training.
“His ability to remain calm, firm, and respectful under verbal provocation demonstrates discipline and professionalism.”
The CDS cautioned public
officials against making such unguarded
statements, saying that the minister’s outburst was unbecoming of a public official and advised that government leaders must uphold civility, especially when dealing with members of the Armed Forces.
Also reacting to the altercation,former Chief of Army Staff(COAS), Tukur Buratai described the FCT’s Minister’s action as a threat to national security, advising him to apologise to the military.
His stance was contained in a statement he sent to journalists.
It would be recalled that Lieutenant Ahmad M. Yarima repeatedly
refused to comply with Wike’s directive to grant the minister and other Abuja administration officials access to a piece of land in Gaduwa,Abuja, where he headed the military team guarding the place.
Even when the minister used foul language, such as calling him a fool, he maintained his composure and continued to insist that he was obeying orders.
“I am not a fool, sir. I am acting on instructions, and I am a commissioned officer,” Yerima repeatedly countered the minister.
Wike demanded documents to justify the soldiers’ presence, insisting that no one, regardless of rank, is above the law.
“Show me the document you have. You have no document,” the minister said.
But in response, Yerima told the minister he and his team were acting on “orders.”
Lere Olayinka, an aide to the minister later said the land in dispute was controversially acquired by a former Chief of Naval Staff, Zubairu Gambo, a retired vice admiral, suggesting either the vice admiral or naval authorities sent Yerima and others on Tuesday’s mission.
