Mohammed Badaru, the Minister of Defense, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting all military personnel carrying out legitimate tasks throughout the nation.
Prior of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony, Badaru reportedly made the assurance on Wednesday while speaking to reporters at a ministerial press briefing at the National Defence College in Abuja.
His remarks follow an altercation on Tuesday between Lieutenant A. M. Yerima, a naval officer, and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, over the development of a contested piece of land in Abuja that is purportedly connected to Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo, a former Chief of Naval Staff.
In response to inquiries about the altercation, the Defense Minister emphasized that the armed forces would not desert any officer who behaved within the bounds of legal authority while stating that the ministry was already investigating the issue.
“Well, at the Ministry and in fact the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty,” stated Badaru.
“We are investigating this matter, and we guarantee that any law-abiding officer will have excellent protection.” We won’t let anything happen to him as long as he continues to perform his duties, which he is doing exceptionally well.
The remarks coincide with public indignation over a widely shared video that depicts the FCT Minister fighting a naval officer at a construction site in Abuja’s Gaduwa District.
In the video, Wike maintained that everyone was subject to the law, regardless of status, and accused the police of illegally preventing him from entering the property.
However, the officer insisted that he was following higher-ups’ orders, which led to a discussion that has since caused controversy.
