Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, says the military officer who clashed with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in a viral video will not face any sanctions.
Speaking to DCL Hausa, Matawalle said the incident was being exaggerated and that Lt. Ahmed Yerima did nothing wrong during the confrontation at a disputed Abuja land site. The officer was seen in the video responding calmly as Wike demanded proof of approval for the landowner.
Matawalle said the soldier acted lawfully and respectfully, adding that military law provides no basis for punishment. He argued that Wike should not have confronted the young officer directly and should have reached out to the Defence Ministry instead.
He revealed that the Chief of Defence Staff had already ordered an investigation and had advised the minister to wait, but Wike proceeded to the site regardless. Matawalle also noted that he had not received any formal complaint from Wike but had spoken to him after the video surfaced.
He assured the public that Lt. Yerima will not be punished, stressing that the military values due process and will protect personnel carrying out their lawful duties.
