The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has confirmed that his ministry is investigating the recent altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, A. M. Yerima, over a disputed parcel of land in Abuja.
Badaru made this known on Wednesday during a press briefing to mark the commencement of activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Defence College, Abuja.
He assured that the Armed Forces would continue to protect any personnel performing legitimate duties, stressing that no officer carrying out lawful instructions would be abandoned.
“At the Ministry and indeed within the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty,” Badaru said.
“We are looking into this matter and assure everyone that any officer carrying out his job diligently will be fully protected. We will not allow harm to come to him so long as he is doing his duty properly.”
The minister’s comments come in the wake of Tuesday’s confrontation in which Wike accused armed personnel of illegally occupying a plot of land said to belong to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (rtd.).
A viral video of the encounter showed the visibly angry FCT Minister questioning the presence of naval officers at the site.
Defence Minister Unveils New Security and Veterans’ Initiatives
Beyond the incident, Badaru used the briefing to unveil new programmes designed to enhance security operations, boost the welfare of military veterans, and promote public support for the armed forces.
He announced the launch of a strategic initiative tagged “Reclaiming the Ungoverned Space for Economic Benefits Programme (RUSEB-P)”, which aims to deploy retired but able-bodied veterans to secure and rehabilitate communities previously controlled by insurgents.
According to him, “By engaging veterans to strengthen local security and spearhead economic activities such as farming and mining, the programme will help prevent a resurgence of terrorism, rebuild local economies, and foster national stability.”
The minister also introduced the “Thank A Soldier” QR Code, a platform that enables Nigerians at home and abroad to send personalised messages of appreciation to troops serving on the frontlines.
Troops Record Major Gains Against Insurgency
Badaru highlighted recent successes recorded by the Armed Forces under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, revealing that troops have neutralised over 13,000 terrorists and criminals, arrested more than 17,000 suspects, and rescued nearly 10,000 hostages in ongoing operations.
He further disclosed that 1,900 illegal refining sites have been dismantled, while over 100,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, including their families, have surrendered to Nigerian forces.
Focus on Veterans’ Welfare
On veterans’ welfare, the minister announced plans to establish a Veterans’ Databank and Call Centre to streamline support services. He revealed that 2,141 Civil War veterans, previously excluded from pension benefits, have now been enrolled.
Badaru added that the government is proposing an amendment to the Nigerian Legion Act, which will see the body renamed the Veterans Federation of Nigeria (VFN).
He also stated that the Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML) now provides medical coverage for over 400,000 beneficiaries, including 205,000 veterans and their families.
Minister Urges Nigerians to Honour Troops
Badaru concluded by calling on Nigerians to show greater appreciation for members of the Armed Forces, both serving and retired.
“We must continue to honour the gallant men and women who embody courage, discipline, and unity — the pillars of our democracy and sovereignty,” he said.
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