The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has provided assurance that “Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima,” the naval officer involved in the heated public confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, “will not face any disciplinary action.”
Matawalle gave this assurance during an interview with DCL Hausa, responding to “public speculations about possible sanctions” against the officer after the video of the clash went viral on social media.
The confrontation occurred at Plot 1946 in the Gaduwa District, Abuja, on Monday, during Wike’s visit to a disputed plot of land.
Read Also: What Defence Headquarters Posted On Social Media Amid Wike’s Confrontation With Military Officer
In the viral video, the FCT minister was seen in a “tense verbal exchange with the young naval officer, who stood his ground respectfully during the encounter.”
The FCT minister accused soldiers of “preventing officials from the FCT Department of Development Control from enforcing a stop-work order” on the land, which is allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd).
The soldiers stationed at the site blocked the minister’s entry, which prompted the confrontation.
Wike later claimed the developers “lacked valid documents or legal approval for the construction on the site.”
Read Also: We’ll Protect Every Officer On Lawful Duty – Minister Of Defence Speaks On Confrontation Between Wike And Military Officer
Reacting to the incident, Matawalle said the matter “should have been handled through proper channels rather than through a public altercation.”
He criticized the Minister’s approach, stating: “The minister should not have confronted him. Lieutenant Yerima was acting on orders. If Wike had any concerns, he should have spoken to his superiors or to me directly since I oversee naval affairs.”
Matawalle “commended Yerima’s composure during the confrontation,” describing his conduct as “disciplined and professional.”
He added: “You can clearly see that he was respectful while standing his ground. As far as we are concerned, he did not break any law or military regulation.”
The Minister of State also disclosed that the Chief of Naval Staff has commenced an investigation into the disputed land, while clarifying that “no formal complaint has yet been received from the FCT Minister.”
Matawalle concluded that the “whole situation was avoidable,” noting: “Before the minister went there, he had already spoken with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, who assured him that the matter would be looked into.”
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
