Nigeria, Nov. 12 -- The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, says the military will defend Ahmad Yerima, the naval officer who had an altercation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over access to a disputed land in Abuja, if the officer was performing a lawful duty.

The minister stated this while addressing journalists at a ministerial press briefing on the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Celebration held on Wednesday at the National Defence College, Abuja.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that Mr Yerima, a lieutenant, repeatedly refused to comply with Mr Wike's directive to grant the minister and other Abuja administration officials access to the land. Even when the minister used foul language, such as calling h...