Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained the cause of the confrontation between his principal and some military officers over a disputed parcel of land in Abuja.
Olayinka, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, said the land in question was originally allocated to Santos Estate Limited in 2007 for park and recreational purposes.
He revealed that the company later attempted to change the land’s use to commercial development but was denied approval by the FCT Administration in 2022. Despite the rejection, Olayinka said, the company went ahead to subdivide and sell the land to several buyers, including former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awal Gambo.
“The former Chief of Naval Staff was scammed,” Olayinka stated. “Instead of seeking redress, he resorted to using military influence to secure the land.”
The confrontation reportedly occurred when Wike and FCTA officials attempted to access the disputed site but were blocked by armed soldiers. The commanding officer at the scene claimed he was acting on orders and refused to grant them entry.
Olayinka condemned the officer’s conduct, arguing that obedience to orders must be lawful and reasonable. “A military man should not be guarding a private property under construction. Those soldiers were deployed to protect the former Chief of Naval Staff, not to secure his personal building site,” he said.
He maintained that the disputed land remains government property designated for public use and not for private development.
According to Olayinka, the FCT Administration is determined to reclaim all lands illegally acquired or converted in violation of the Abuja master plan.
