Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, publicly assured that the military high command would always protect any officer performing a lawful duty, amidst the investigation into the heated confrontation between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a Naval Lieutenant on Tuesday.
Speaking at a ministerial press briefing on Wednesday, Badaru vowed to not allow anything to happen to the soldier, provided the officer was acting within the law. The Minister also unveiled a major new initiative, the “Reclaiming the Ungoverned Space for Economic Benefits Programme (RUSEB-P),” designed to engage military veterans in community policing and local economic recovery in areas previously affected by insurgency.
The Minister’s statement directly addresses the viral clash that occurred in Abuja over a disputed land plot allegedly belonging to the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd). The Naval Lieutenant, identified as A. M. Yerima, was praised by some quarters for maintaining his composure and discipline despite Minister Wike’s verbal tirade, during which Wike called him a “fool.”
The Defence Minister emphasized that the Armed Forces would not abandon its personnel;
Well, at the Ministry, and indeed the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty
He confirmed that the Ministry is looking into this issue to determine the legality of the officer’s presence at the private development site.
Beyond the land dispute, Minister Badaru used the briefing to announce significant veteran welfare and security reforms.
This program aims to leverage the experience of retired personnel to restore security and promote development in areas liberated from insurgents. The veterans will reinforce local security and initiate economic projects like farming and mining to prevent the resurgence of terrorism and revitalize local productivity.
The government plans to review the Nigerian Legion Act to establish a Veterans Federation of Nigeria (VFN), which will provide a stronger legal and institutional framework for veterans’ welfare and reintegration. Furthermore, 2,141 Civil War veterans who retired before meeting pension qualification years have now been enrolled for benefits.
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