Wike’s clash with soldiers: A clear threat to national security – Buratai

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.), has raised serious concerns over the conduct of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing his actions as a “clear threat to national security and institutional integrity.”

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Buratai said the events of November 11, 2025 — when Wike allegedly publicly disparaged a uniformed officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces, were not mere misconduct, but a deliberate undermining of authority that could have grave consequences.

“A minister’s verbal assault on a military officer in uniform is an act of profound indiscipline. It strikes at the very core of our nation’s command and control structure. It disrespects the authority of the Commander-in-Chief, and it grievously wounds the morale of every officer serving under the Nigerian flag,” Buratai warned.

He added that such actions “erode the foundation of discipline upon which our national security apparatus stands” and should not be dismissed as political theatre. According to the former army chief, Wike’s behaviour amounts to “reckless endangerment of national order” and signals an attempt to undermine the federal government’s authority.

Buratai urged that Wike must issue an “immediate and unequivocal public apology” to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria, and the officer whose honour was violated. He stressed that national security must take precedence over politics.

“Our nation’s security comes first. It is time for decisive action, not politics of military bashing. The integrity of our Armed Forces demands nothing less,” he said.

The former COAS concluded that inaction could set a dangerous precedent, allowing any political actor to challenge military authority with impunity, a scenario that could weaken discipline and compromise the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security apparatus.