Defence Minister Backs Naval Officer in Clash with Wike, Vows Protection for Armed Forces Personnel

|By Adejumo Adekunle

Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has thrown his weight behind Lieutenant Yerima, the naval officer who confronted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, during a dispute over a parcel of land in Abuja allegedly belonging to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (rtd).

Speaking at a ministerial press briefing on the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Celebration held Wednesday at the National Defence College, Abuja, Badaru commended Lt. Yerima’s conduct, stressing that the Federal Government would defend every officer carrying out legitimate duties.

“We will always protect our officers on lawful duty. He has done well, and we won’t allow anything to happen to him,” the minister declared.

Badaru emphasized that the Ministry of Defence would continue to stand firm in safeguarding the rights and welfare of personnel within the Armed Forces.
“We are looking into this issue, and I assure you that any officer performing his duty legitimately will be fully protected,” he added.

The clash between Wike and the naval officer has sparked nationwide debate on the limits of ministerial authority and the autonomy of the Armed Forces in civil matters.