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Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), has strongly criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his verbal confrontation with military personnel in Abuja, describing it as a threat to national security and institutional integrity. The incident, which was captured on video and circulated widely online, showed Wike in a heated argument with soldiers guarding a disputed plot of land allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff. The confrontation, part of an enforcement visit by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), quickly escalated, with the minister accusing the officers of aiding illegal development on government property. In a statement released on Wednesday, Buratai condemned the minister’s remarks, saying Wike’s public outburst against a uniformed officer “transcends mere misconduct” and “represents a palpable threat to national security.” “His public disparagement of a uniformed officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces transcends mere misconduct; it represents a palpable threat to national security and institutional integrity,” Buratai said. He warned that such behaviour undermines military discipline and the authority of the Commander-in-Chief. “A minister’s verbal assault on a military officer disrespects the chain of command and damages the morale of those serving in the armed forces,” he added. Buratai said the confrontation was a clear indication of “undermining the federal government’s authority” and urged Wike to publicly apologise to President Bola Tinubu and the officer involved. “Our nation’s security must come first. It is time for decisive action, not politics of military bashing. The integrity of our Armed Forces demands nothing less,” Buratai stated. The former Army Chief’s comments add to growing criticism of Wike’s handling of the Abuja land dispute, following similar condemnations from civil society organisations, veterans’ groups, and former government officials who accused the minister of overstepping his authority.
