“Minister Wike’s Conduct Poses a Clear Threat to National Security” — Buratai

Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has criticized the actions of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, saying they represent a direct threat to national security. The warning comes in the wake of a tense confrontation on November 11, 2025, in Abuja, where soldiers blocked Wike and FCTA officials from accessing a disputed parcel of land in the Gaduwa district.

Buratai condemned the minister’s public criticism of uniformed military personnel at the scene, describing it as a serious breach of discipline that undermines the chain of command, disrespects the authority of the Commander-in-Chief, and damages morale across the Armed Forces. He warned that such conduct cannot be dismissed as political posturing and poses a real risk to the integrity of national security structures.

The confrontation occurred after Wike attempted to halt what he described as an illegal development allegedly linked to military personnel. Reports indicated that FCTA officials had earlier been driven away from the site by armed soldiers, prompting the minister to visit personally. Wike insisted that no one—regardless of rank or uniform—is above the law and emphasized that enforcement of rules must be impartial.

Buratai called on Wike to issue an immediate and unequivocal public apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the officer involved. He stressed that national security must come before political disagreements, urging decisive action to uphold the discipline and integrity of the military.