By: Ngbede Silas
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner, Barr. Nyesom Wike has strongly condemned what he described as the illegal occupation of a disputed piece of land in Abuja by soldiers allegedly acting on the orders of a former Navy officer. Wike called the act reckless and unacceptable.
He made the remarks on Saturday after personally visiting the area, following reports that Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) officials engaged in law enforcement were forcibly chased away by soldiers.
Wike said no individual, irrespective of position or previous position, would be allowed to intimidate government officials or obstruct the implementation of the law. He explained that officials from the Department of Development Control, acting on his instructions, were evicted by armed forces believed to be acting under the command of the retired general.
According to the minister, when the soldiers were asked to provide documents proving their legal right to be there, they did not produce any.
Wike said: “I have already spoken to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. “They have all assured me that this matter will be resolved. We’re not here to start conflict, but I will not tolerate lawlessness or intimidation.”
He reiterated that the law will be applied equally to everyone and emphasized that illegal activities on government land will not be tolerated, irrespective of who is involved.
“The same rules we use in other parts of the country will apply here,” he said. “No former Chief of the Navy or anyone else will be allowed to carry out unauthorized construction on public land.”
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