Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has assured that the Federal Government and the Armed Forces high command will stand firmly behind every soldier performing lawful duties, declaring that no officer acting within the ambit of the law will be left unprotected.
Badaru made this declaration in Abuja on Tuesday during the ministerial press conference to flag off activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration. The assurance comes in the wake of a heated altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, Lt. Ahmad Yerima, during a routine duty operation in Abuja — a confrontation that sparked nationwide debate on civil-military relations.
Speaking with journalists, the Defence Minister said:
“At the Ministry and indeed within the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty. We will not allow anything to happen to any soldier performing his duty legally and responsibly. We are looking into this issue, and I can assure you that the officer involved will not be victimized for doing his job.”
Badaru’s comments have been interpreted as a subtle response to concerns over the alleged humiliation of the naval officer during his encounter with Wike. The FCT Minister was reportedly on an inspection visit to a disputed land area when he clashed with the naval personnel guarding the property, leading to public outrage and demands for government intervention.
Beyond addressing the controversy, Badaru also unveiled a series of military welfare initiatives aimed at improving the morale of serving and retired personnel. Among these are:
- The Reclaiming the Ungoverned Space for Economic Benefits Programme (RUSEB-P) — a veteran engagement scheme designed to convert reclaimed security zones into productive economic ventures.
- The “Thank a Soldier” QR-Code Initiative, which allows Nigerians to send personalized appreciation messages to members of the armed forces.
- The settlement of ₦18 billion in Group Life Insurance claims for fallen troops’ families.
- The creation of a veteran databank and call-centre to maintain continuous welfare support and track the wellbeing of ex-servicemen.
The Defence Minister emphasized that the military under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to professionalism, discipline, and respect for civil authority — but stressed that such respect must be mutual.
“We are strengthening the spirit of professionalism and accountability within the Armed Forces. But it is equally important that those in civil authority understand that our officers have a constitutional duty to protect life and property. Their uniform should never be an object of intimidation or disrespect,” Badaru noted.
Analysts believe the Minister’s strong tone was intended to reassure troops amid growing concerns that political interference and bureaucratic overreach could undermine military morale. Observers also see his remarks as a subtle reminder to public officeholders that security agencies operate under national command, not personal authority.
As the Defence Headquarters continues its internal review of the Wike–Navy altercation, citizens and civil society groups have urged the federal government to use the episode as a test case to reinforce discipline, mutual respect, and lawful conduct between civil authorities and uniformed personnel.
The 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, scheduled for January, will highlight the sacrifices of fallen heroes and underscore ongoing reforms within Nigeria’s military establishment — reforms Badaru insists are not just symbolic, but structural.
“We owe our soldiers protection, respect, and gratitude,” he concluded. “And as long as they act within the law, this administration will stand solidly behind them.”