The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has reportedly visited land and properties belonging to a former Chief of Naval Staff following allegations that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is attempting to seize them. The inspection, carried out alongside senior naval officials including A.M. Yaremi, has stirred new tensions between the military and the FCT Administration.
According to reliable sources, the disputed properties—believed to be located within the high-value district of Abuja—are allegedly being claimed by the FCT Administration as part of its ongoing recovery drive for government land. However, naval authorities maintain that the properties were legally allocated and developed under previous defense housing initiatives.
Eyewitnesses said the Chief of Naval Staff’s visit drew attention as security personnel were seen around the site during the inspection. Reports suggest that the naval team sought to assess the situation firsthand and determine whether the FCTA’s claims have legal merit.
A senior naval source who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “The visit was necessary to understand the details of the issue. The properties in question were not illegally acquired; they are recognized under official naval allocations.”
Meanwhile, officials in the FCT Administration have not issued a formal statement, but sources within the ministry insist that the properties fall within government-acquired land earmarked for public use. They argue that any development made without updated approvals or renewed documentation could face revocation.
The controversy follows a series of recent incidents where Minister Wike ordered the demolition of structures said to have violated land-use regulations, including those linked to top figures and government agencies. Critics, however, have accused him of targeting certain groups unfairly.
Public reactions have been swift, with some Nigerians applauding Wike’s firm enforcement of Abuja’s master plan, while others urge caution in handling sensitive cases involving security agencies. Social media platforms have also been flooded with debates over the growing tension between the FCTA and the military establishment.
Both the FCTA and the Nigerian Navy are expected to meet in the coming days to clarify ownership claims and prevent escalation. Analysts say the development underscores the need for clear inter-agency communication and respect for established administrative processes.
The Naval Chief’s visit to the disputed property marks another chapter in the ongoing friction between the FCTA and high-ranking public officers over land administration in Abuja. With investigations ongoing, Nigerians are watching closely to see how the government balances law enforcement with institutional diplomacy.
