Sowore Faults Military Over Abuja Land Dispute, Recalls Wike’s Past

Human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the Nigerian military for what he described as “misplaced priorities,” alleging that soldiers were being used to protect private property rather than focusing on national security.

Sowore made the comments in a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle while reacting to Tuesday’s confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and military personnel over a disputed parcel of land in Abuja’s Gaduwa district.

“The military’s primary responsibility is to safeguard the country’s borders, but instead, it is devoting resources to protect a parcel of land for a high-ranking officer, allegedly acting on ‘orders,’” Sowore wrote.

The confrontation reportedly occurred when Wike led officials of the FCT Department of Development Control to stop construction on a site said to lack approved documentation. Eyewitnesses said armed soldiers guarding the property prevented the team from gaining access, resulting in a heated exchange between the minister and the officers.

Sowore, in his reaction, described the incident as another example of how public institutions sometimes serve private interests. He further recalled a similar episode during Wike’s tenure as governor of Rivers State, when he allegedly prevented operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting a judge accused of corruption.

“As governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike once stood in the way of EFCC officers, stopping them from arresting a judge who was his friend. What a country!” Sowore posted.

The development has continued to generate public debate on social media, with many Nigerians calling for clearer boundaries between civil authority and military engagement.

As of press time, the Nigerian Army and the office of the FCT Minister had yet to issue formal statements on the matter.