Officer Yerima did well – Defence Minister backs officer who confronted Wike

Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has praised Lieutenant Yerima, the naval officer who stood up to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over disputed access to a parcel of land in Abuja.

In a viral video, the officer and the FCT minister were seen in a heated exchange that degenerated into verbal attacks.

The development has been generating reactions across the country.

Addressing journalists at a ministerial press briefing on the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Celebration held on Wednesday at the National Defence College, Abuja, the minister said the Federal Government will defend and protect every member of the Armed Forces performing their lawful duties.

“We will always protect our officer. He has done well. We won’t allow anything to happen to him,” TVC News quoted the minister as saying.

He also noted that the incident is currently being investigated, stating that the Nigerian government will not allow anything to happen to Officer Yerima.

“At the Ministry, and indeed within the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty.

“We are looking into this issue, and I assure you that any officer performing his duty legitimately will be fully protected,” he added.