We’ll defend every officer on lawful duty, says Badaru

Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has assured that government and indeed the military high command will protect every soldier on lawful duty.

This came against the backdrop of Tuesday’s altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a Navy Lieutenant, over development of a land in Abuja, which allegedly belongs to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo.

In a viral video on Tuesday, the officer and the FCT minister were seen engaged in a heated exchange that degenerated into verbal attacks.

The development has since been generating reactions across the country.

Responding to questions from journalists during a ministerial press conference on the Armed Force Remembrance Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) 2026 in Abuja, yesterday, Badaru said the Federal Government will defend and protect every member of the Armed Forces performing their lawful duties.

“We will always protect our officers. He has done well. We won’t allow anything to happen to him.”

He also disclosed that the incident is being investigated, stating that the Nigerian government will not allow anything to happen to Officer Yerima.

“At the Ministry, and indeed within the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty.

“We are looking into this issue, and I assure you that any officer performing his duty legitimately will be fully protected.

“So we will not allow anything to happen to him so far he is doing his job, and he is doing his job greatly well,” he said.

He also said government will engage military veterans in community policing and local economic recovery through a new initiative, the “Reclaiming the Ungoverned Space for Economic Benefits Programme (RUSEB-P).” He said the programme was designed to harness the experience and discipline of retired, able-bodied personnel to restore security and promote development in areas previously affected by insurgency.

The minister said RUSEB-P will help prevent the resurgence of terrorism and stimulate local productivity.

“By engaging veterans to reinforce local security and initiate projects like farming and mining, RUSEB-P will prevent the resurgence of terrorism, revitalise local economies, and strengthen national cohesion.”

He said a dedicated committee is finalising the framework for implementation, adding that the vision extends beyond short-term intervention to long-term, sustainable engagement of veterans.

According to him, the government plans to review the Nigerian Legion Act to establish a Veterans Federation of Nigeria (VFN), which will strengthen the legal framework for veterans’ benefits and reintegration programmes.

Badaru disclosed that the ministry had enrolled 2,141 civil war veterans who fought on the Nigerian side but retired before meeting the qualifying years for pension, in recognition of their sacrifices.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to sustaining reforms that strengthen national security, troops’ welfare, and veterans’ dignity.