Mohammed Badaru, the Minister of Defense, has reiterated the Federal Government’s dedication to protecting all military personnel carrying out legitimate tasks throughout the nation.
Prior to the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony, Badaru reportedly made the promise 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 Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and a naval officer, Lieutenant A. M. Yerima, regarding the development of a contested piece of land in Abuja that is purportedly connected to former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo.
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 also stating that the ministry was already examining the incident.
“Well, at the Ministry and indeed the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty,” Badaru stated.
“We are investigating this matter, and we guarantee that any law-abiding officer will have excellent protection. He’s doing his job, and he’s doing it very well, so we won’t let anything happen to him.
The remarks coincide with public indignation over a widely shared video that captured the FCT Minister in a furious altercation with a navy officer at a construction site in Abuja’s Gaduwa District.
In the video, Wike insisted that no one was above the law, regardless of position, and accused the police of illegally preventing him from entering the property.
However, the officer insisted that he was following higher-ups’ directions, which led to a discussion that has since split the public.
