The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has pledged unwavering support for military personnel carrying out legitimate duties, amid fallout from a high-profile confrontation between Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and a Navy lieutenant over a disputed Abuja land plot.
Speaking at a ministerial press conference in Abuja on Wednesday—focused on preparations for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations—Badaru addressed the Tuesday incident involving Lt. A.M. Yerima, who allegedly obstructed Wike’s team from accessing a site purportedly owned by retired Chief of Naval Staff Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo.
“At the Ministry and across the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty,” Badaru told journalists. “We’re investigating this matter closely, and we assure that any officer performing his role diligently will receive the highest level of protection. We won’t allow anything to happen to him as long as he’s doing his job—and doing it well.”
The clash, captured in viral videos, highlighted tensions over land administration in the FCT, with Wike accusing developers and military personnel of encroachment. Badaru’s remarks signal a firm stance from the defence hierarchy, potentially averting escalation while underscoring the military’s operational autonomy.
New Initiative to Deploy Veterans in Security and Economic Revival
In a broader push to leverage military expertise for national development, Badaru unveiled the Reclaiming the Ungoverned Space for Economic Benefits Programme (RUSEB-P), aimed at enlisting retired, able-bodied veterans in community policing and local economic recovery.
Designed to target insurgency-ravaged areas in the North-East and beyond, RUSEB-P will deploy veterans’ discipline and skills to bolster local security, prevent terrorism’s resurgence, and ignite productivity through ventures like farming and artisanal mining.
“By engaging veterans to reinforce community defenses and kickstart economic projects, RUSEB-P will not only curb threats but revitalize local economies and foster national unity,” Badaru explained. “This goes beyond short-term fixes—it’s about sustainable reintegration.”
A dedicated inter-agency committee is finalizing the rollout framework, with initial pilots slated for high-risk zones. The minister emphasized the programme’s dual focus: immediate security gains and long-term veteran empowerment, addressing unemployment among ex-servicemen while filling gaps in ungoverned spaces.
Push for Veterans’ Federation and Pension Reforms
Badaru also announced plans to amend the Nigerian Legion Act, paving the way for a Veterans Federation of Nigeria (VFN) to streamline benefits, advocacy, and reintegration support for ex-military personnel.
“This will create a robust legal backbone for honoring our heroes’ sacrifices,” he said.
In a nod to historical equity, the ministry has enrolled 2,141 Civil War veterans—who served on Nigeria’s side but retired short of pension eligibility—into the national pension scheme, ensuring they receive long-overdue recognition and financial support.
Badaru reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s dedication to military welfare, including enhanced troop allowances, modern equipment procurement, and anti-corruption drives within the armed forces.
As Nigeria marks Remembrance Day 2026, these initiatives underscore a holistic approach to security: not just defending borders, but rebuilding lives and communities. The defence sector’s evolution under Badaru—once Kano’s governor—continues to blend operational resolve with socio-economic innovation, even as flashpoints like the Wike incident test civil-military relations.
