By John Umeh
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 land in Abuja.
Badaru made this known on Wednesday during a press conference held at the National Defence College, Abuja, to flag off activities marking the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day. He emphasized that the Armed Forces would continue to protect personnel performing lawful duties.
“At the Ministry of Defence, and indeed within the Armed Forces, we will always stand by our officers who are carrying out lawful assignments,” Badaru said. “We are already looking into the issue, and I can assure you that no officer will be abandoned while performing legitimate duties.”
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, sparked widespread discussion after a video surfaced showing Wike confronting armed naval personnel stationed on a disputed plot of land allegedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd.). Wike accused the officers of encroaching on government property, prompting a tense exchange.
Beyond addressing the incident, Badaru unveiled several initiatives aimed at boosting military operations, improving veterans’ welfare, and strengthening national security. One of the highlights is the new “Reclaiming the Ungoverned Space for Economic Benefits Programme” (RUSEB-P), which seeks to engage retired but active veterans to help secure and rebuild communities once controlled by terrorists.
According to the minister, the initiative will empower veterans to lead local security efforts and participate in projects such as agriculture, mining, and infrastructure development to revive affected economies and prevent the resurgence of insurgency.
Badaru also introduced a “Thank A Soldier” QR Code, designed to allow Nigerians both home and abroad to send personal messages of appreciation to troops on the frontlines.
Providing updates on military achievements under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Badaru stated that troops have neutralized over 13,000 terrorists and criminals, arrested more than 17,000 suspects, rescued about 10,000 hostages, and dismantled nearly 1,900 illegal refining camps nationwide.
He further revealed that over 100,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP members and their families have surrendered, reflecting the success of ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
In a major move to support ex-servicemen, the minister announced plans to establish a Veterans’ Databank and Call Centre to enhance communication and welfare management. He disclosed that 2,141 previously unlisted Civil War veterans had now been included in the pension roll.
Additionally, the government intends to amend the Nigerian Legion Act to rename it the Veterans Federation of Nigeria (VFN) and expand its mandate.
Badaru added that the Defence Health Maintenance Limited now provides healthcare coverage for more than 400,000 enrollees — including 205,000 veterans and their dependents — across the country.
Concluding his address, the minister urged Nigerians to honour the sacrifices of the Armed Forces, describing them as “the true defenders of Nigeria’s unity and sovereignty.”
“We must never forget the courage and sacrifice of our soldiers,” he said. “They embody discipline, service, and patriotism — the very foundation of our democracy.”
