ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24) — A young Nigerian soldier has captured the admiration of millions after footage of him standing his ground against a powerful government minister went viral on social media.
Lieutenant A.M. Yerima was part of a military unit that prevented Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike from accessing a disputed plot of land in Abuja on Tuesday. The confrontation, captured on video and viewed millions of times, shows the minister becoming increasingly agitated as Lt. Yerima calmly cites orders from his superiors and refuses entry.
The soldier’s composure and adherence to protocol have earned widespread praise online. Social media users described him as “courageous” and “brave,” with many sharing his photo on WhatsApp and other platforms.
The incident drew particular attention because Wike, a former governor of the oil-rich Rivers State, is considered one of the most influential figures in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Wike has a reputation for getting his way, and public displays of defiance against him are rare in Nigeria, where lower-ranking officials typically yield to senior authority figures.
In the video, Wike can be heard telling the officer, “You are a very big fool. At the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.” Lt. Yerima calmly responds, “I am not a fool, sir.” The exchange has been widely cited as an example of discipline and courage within the Nigerian military.
“I commend the gallantry of this military officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, for his unshakable boldness and composure despite the offensive utterances from FCT Minister Wike,” one social media user wrote on X. “He’s well trained and fearless, refusing to be bullied.” Another added, “Discipline, courage, and integrity. The true spirit of the Nigerian military.”
The circumstances surrounding the soldiers’ presence at the land site remain unclear. The BBC has reached out to the Nigerian military for comment. Wike challenged the soldiers to provide documentation proving their authority to occupy the land.
Wike later told reporters that officials from the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council had reported being prevented from accessing the land by soldiers. “This is what prevents us from progressing,” he said. “When the officials came, they said soldiers chased them away. I thought they did so illegally.” He added that the soldiers were unable to produce the requested documents, noting that the land falls under federal capital jurisdiction, which he oversees.
The incident has sparked nationwide discussion on authority, accountability, and the role of the military in civil matters, with many Nigerians applauding Lt. Yerima for his professionalism in the face of pressure from a senior government official.
