The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has condemned the alleged takeover of a disputed plot of land in Abuja by military personnel reportedly acting on the instruction of a former Chief of Naval Staff.

Wike visited the site on Tuesday after receiving reports that soldiers forced officials of the Department of Development Control to leave while they were enforcing a stop-work order. He said no person, regardless of past military or public office, would be allowed to intimidate FCTA officials or obstruct lawful enforcement.

According to the minister, the land and development agencies had earlier been directed to halt all activities on the plot because there were no valid documents or approvals supporting any development.

“When this matter came to me, I instructed that nothing should continue there. There is no legal allocation, no approval, nothing,” Wike said.

He stated that the enforcement team returned to the site only to be chased away by armed soldiers allegedly acting for the retired senior officer.

“I was told soldiers came and drove them out. I found that act completely illegal,” Wike said. “Later today, I was informed that the soldiers had taken over the location again, so I came myself. This is unfortunate.”

Wike said he was shocked that someone who once held a top military position would choose intimidation instead of approaching his office to clarify the issue.

“When they were asked to present documents, allocation papers, approvals—they had none. How can we allow such lawlessness? What about ordinary Nigerians who have no military backing?”

The minister stressed that the FCT Administration would not allow the misuse of military power to block lawful regulatory work.

He noted that he had already spoken with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, who assured him that the situation would be resolved.

“We are not looking for confrontation,” he said. “But we will not allow illegal development anywhere in the FCT. The law applies to everyone.”