The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged the Ministry of Defence to brief Nigerians on the status of its investigation into the disputed parcel of land allegedly connected to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd.).
The dispute escalated earlier this month when soldiers reportedly blocked Wike and senior FCT Administration officials from accessing the property, a development that triggered public concern and heightened tension in the capital city.
Wike maintained that the development on the land was illegal, insisting that the military neither secured approval nor submitted the required documentation to the FCTA before beginning construction.
He said records available to the FCT Administration did not support the ownership claims made by the retired naval chief.
The FCT minister added that based on his assessment, Vice Admiral Gambo might have fallen victim to fraudulent land transactions. “From all indications, it appears the former Chief of Naval Staff was scammed,” Wike reportedly told FCTA officials during the confrontation. He stressed that authorities must verify the authenticity of the documents in Gambo’s possession before any work can continue on the property.
However, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, criticised Wike’s handling of the situation, accusing him of disregarding prior advice from both the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff.
Matawalle said the service chiefs had advised the FCT minister to await the outcome of a formal investigation rather than confronting the officer at the site.
Speaking to Daily Independent on Thursday, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, maintained that only the Defence Ministry can provide Nigerians with an update on the probe, since it publicly announced the investigation.
“You said the Minister of Defence said they will investigate the circumstances surrounding the land. I think you should direct the question to them,” Olayinka said. “If they said they are investigating, how far have they gone? If not, why is the investigation taking so long?”
He stressed that Nigerians need clarity on whether the former naval chief has provided proof of legitimate ownership.
“Has the former Chief of Naval Staff provided evidence that he genuinely owns the land? Has he provided proof that he actually submitted the right documents to the authorities?” Olayinka queried.
On whether Wike’s order halting further development at the disputed site is being followed, Olayinka explained that he had not visited the location since the incident but pledged to confirm the situation. “I will find out. It is not a question I can answer as I am talking to you because I have not gone there since that incident. I will find out and get back to you,” he said.
As the controversy continues, Abuja residents and stakeholders await clarity from the Defence Ministry, whose investigation is expected to determine the legitimacy of the land’s ownership and resolve the standoff between civil authorities and the military.
