In a swift show of solidarity, prominent human rights advocates have thrown their weight behind Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, the young Nigerian Navy officer who found himself at the center of a viral confrontation with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike. The incident, which unfolded on Tuesday at a disputed land site in Gaduwa District, has ignited a national debate on authority, respect for institutions, and the dignity of public servants in uniform.
The clash erupted when Wike, accompanied by FCT Administration officials and security personnel, arrived to enforce a stop-work order on Plot 1946—a property allegedly owned by retired Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, former Chief of Naval Staff. Naval officers, led by the 33-year-old Lt. Yerima, formed a human barrier to prevent access, citing orders to secure the site amid ongoing disputes over documentation and land revocation under the Land Use Act. What began as a procedural standoff quickly escalated into a heated exchange, captured on video and viewed millions of times across social media platforms.
In the footage, Wike can be heard demanding entry and challenging the officers to produce legal documents, while repeatedly daring them to “shoot” if they intended to block him. Lt. Yerima, maintaining a composed demeanor throughout, responded firmly but respectfully, emphasizing that he was acting on superior orders and not seeking confrontation. “Sir, we are here on lawful duty,” Yerima stated calmly, refusing to be baited despite the minister’s rising frustration. The exchange highlighted stark generational and institutional tensions: Wike, a seasoned political heavyweight, versus Yerima, a disciplined officer from a prominent military family, whose father is reportedly retired Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, a former Nigerian Army spokesman.
The backlash against Wike’s conduct has been fierce, with human rights defenders framing the episode as a broader assault on professionalism and institutional integrity. Leading the charge is Ahmed Isah, host of the influential Brekete Family radio and television program—often dubbed Nigeria’s premier human rights platform—known as the “Ordinary President.” On air Wednesday morning, Isah hailed Yerima as a symbol of national pride, declaring, “Lieutenant Yerima, we are proud of you; you made the military proud and Nigerians proud.” He demanded an unreserved apology from Wike, warning that failure to do so would require President Bola Tinubu to intervene on his behalf. “This is getting too much; people around him should advise him,” Isah added, drawing parallels to the minister’s past controversies and urging restraint from those in power.
