Badaru Abubakar reassures military personnel amid Wike–soldiers confrontation in Abuja…
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces carrying out lawful assignments across the country.
Speaking on Wednesday at a press briefing marking the start of activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Defence College in Abuja, the minister emphasized that the welfare and safety of personnel remain top priorities for the government.
“At the ministry and indeed the armed forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty,” Abubakar said.
“Rest assured that any officer on lawful duty will be protected. I will not allow anything to happen to any officer doing his job and doing his job credibly well.”
Context: Wike–Soldiers Face-Off in Abuja
Abubakar’s statement comes just a day after a reported confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and some soldiers who allegedly prevented him and his entourage from gaining access to a disputed plot of land in the Gaduwa district of Abuja.
According to reports, Wike expressed displeasure over the soldiers’ action, questioning their presence and insisting that “no one is above the laws of the land.” He also alleged that due process was not followed in the development of the property.
While the Defence Minister did not directly reference the incident, his assurance is seen as a signal that the government will continue to uphold the rule of law while protecting security operatives carrying out their duties responsibly.
