₦airaland Forum

A young Nigerian soldier has been widely praised on social media after footage of him standing his ground against a powerful government minister went viral.

The soldier, identified as Lt AM Yerima, was part of a unit that prevented Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike from accessing a disputed plot of land in Abuja on Tuesday.

In the video, which has been viewed millions of times, the minister is seen becoming increasingly agitated as Lt Yerima, citing orders from his superiors, calmly refuses him entry.

Many social media users have hailed the soldier's demeanour, describing him as "courageous" and "brave", with some using his photo on their WhatsApp statuses.

The confrontation was particularly striking to many Nigerians 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.

He has a fearsome reputation and is seen as someone who normally gets his way in a country where lower-ranking officials rarely stand up to those in authority.

"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. He's well trained and fearless, he refused to be bullied," one user posted on X.

"Discipline, courage, and integrity. The true spirit of the Nigerian military. The young officer A.M Yerima stood his ground with professionalism and honor,” agreed another X user.

In the video, Wike is heard saying to the soldier: "You are a very big fool. At the time I graduated, you were still in primary school."

While Wike was still speaking, the officer cuts in to say: "I am not a fool sir."

However, it is not clear why the soldiers were there.

The BBC has asked the Nigerian military for comment.

Wike challenged the soldiers to provide proof of their legal right to occupy the land.

Wike later told journalists he had visited the site after officials from the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council reported being chased away by soldiers.

He said the land fell under the federal capital jurisdiction which he oversees and that his administration had a duty to investigate reports of illegal construction and land encroachment.

"This is what prevents us from progressing," Wike said. "When the officials came, they said soldiers chased them away. I thought they did so illegally."

He said the soldiers were unable to produce the documents he requested.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8672zyqpl8o?xtor=AL-71-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bbbc.news.twitter%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D&at_campaign_type=owned&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_link_type=web_link&at_link_origin=BBCWorld&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_medium=social&at_link_id=F1D1DF8A-BFD9-11F0-928A-FDDC867F5A54&at_ptr_name=twitter&at_format=link

In this life, if everybody is celebrating your disgrace, then you need to check yourself and start doing the right thing.

If everybody isn't good with you, then God himself too isn't good with you.

The bible made us to understand that "Anything that is condemned on earth is condemned in heaven".

This is the right time for Wike to sit down in a very quiet place and think about all he has done that brought him hate all around the country and retrace his steps.

That's if he get sense o.

Wike, ntooor!!
Babablu bulabu

Wike the slayer of Ipob in Obigbo doesn’t know law

The minister couldn't go to office today due to shame

Honestly,this was what the military used to be known for..

RESPECT,AND INTEGRITY!!!

Not until it was bastardized with corruption

I beg if you know Wike the drunk tell him I said he should go to court.

Anufia!

Wike met his match. With all his gragra he couldn't do anything to the young officer. The officer needs to be promoted asap!!

Wike has finally gone global. Albeit, this wasn't what he had in mind when he stormed the location with an intimidating convoy, complete with two outriders on motorcycles and a media crew. Gbadorians still begrudge Trump when he calls Nigeria under their tin-god, a disgraced country.

Another video from yesterday showing how Wike drove to the place.

Take a look at the convoy. The number of cars, the escort riders. Only one yeye minister in a country majority of the people are living in POVERTY wasting tax payers moneys like this. A very wasteful regime. No… pic.twitter.com/DmdugcpmH0

— Samuel Omogor (@SamuelOmogor) November 12, 2025

AMINDA:
Wike has finally gone global. Albeit, this wasn't what he had in mind when he stormed the location with an intimidating convoy and media crew. Gbadorians still begrudge Trump when he calls Nigeria under their tin-god, a disgraced country.

Trump called your tin-god a lifeless person

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/281501-trump-described-meeting-with-buhari-as-lifeless-financial-times.html?tztc=1

Sonnobax15:

Honestly,this was what the military used to be known for..

RESPECT,AND INTEGRITY!!!

Not until it was bastardized with corruption

Thes should go and show what they are known for with the terrorists and bandits terrorising us not as Mei guard for a fraudulently acquired lands!

Ikaeniyan0:
Trump called your tin-god a lifeless person

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/281501-trump-described-meeting-with-buhari-as-lifeless-financial-times.html?tztc=1

At least he met with him, granted him an audience and hosted him in the Whitehouse. When is Daniel Bwala organising the meeting between Tinubu and Trump? He can't continue to gallivant only around France, St. Lucia, Brazil and Columbia.

Ikaeniyan0:
Nigerians abi Igbo, IPOB members, Obidients and opposition members? We go dey here when the table will turn, make nobody sha start crying to Trump, USA, UK, UN, EU etc when it happens to their beloved politicians

I tell you.
And when a soldier officer use the uniform that should be used to protect us against terrorists and bandits to oppress a civilian like them or a politician they like Peter OBI.


This incidence has shown how hypocritical Nigerians could be.

Ikaeniyan0:
If Trump knew Buhari was a lifeless president, he won't have invited the lifeless president

https://www.thecable.ng/report-trump-said-he-never-wants-to-meet-someone-as-lifeless-as-buhari/

Noted. Maybe that's the reason why he will never meet with Tinubu. Thanks for letting us know. When is his next visit to France or Columbia?

Great! Am among the Nigerians who deemed this young officer action patriotic.

Some people are not praising him shaa. A particular group of people we know

Ikaeniyan0:
Nigerians abi Igbo, IPOB members, Obidients and opposition members? We go dey here when the table will turn, make nobody sha start crying to Trump, USA, UK, UN, EU etc when it happens to their beloved politicians

Bokoharam and ISWAP are not happy that Wike humiliated himself.

beerfraud:
Wike the slayer of Ipob in Obigbo doesn’t know law

Who was in turn slain and intered single handedly by a 25yrs old young soldier. 🤣🤣🤣

hafeeanubasy:
I tell you.
And when a soldier officer use the uniform that should be used to protect us against terrorists and bandits to oppress a civilian like them or a politician they hate like Peter OBI.


This incidence has shown how hypocritical Nigerians could be.

Hypocritical? No, it is how dishonest some Nigerians are.
What just happened will come back to haunt some people in the future.

Kastonkastroll:
Wike met his match. With all his gragra he couldn't do anything to the young officer. The officer needs to be promoted asap!!

Wike even called the CDS who in turn spoke to the young officer. Only God knows what the CDS told the young officer because after the call, dude continued to maintain his steeze while Wike had to leave with his tail between his legs.

Ikaeniyan0:
Nigerians abi Igbo, IPOB members, Obidients and opposition members? We go dey here when the table will turn, make nobody sha start crying to Trump, USA, UK, UN, EU etc when it happens to their beloved politicians

Before then, do you need Geepee tank for your tears? The tin too mosh nah. 🤣

hafeeanubasy:
Thes should go and show what they are known for with the terrorists and bandits terrorising us not as Mei guard for a fraudulently acquired lands!

The over 50 policemen with Wike would be more useful in Benue, Jos and nasarawa.

Wike needs a long vacation.
Things for sup but eh no sup
Eh for turn physical but eh no physical
Men for throway but them no throway
Wike, no dey enter bush dey form physical when your job is pen to paper
I know say you no go fit sleep well for a long time
You too dey do doo
But finally all he said was; he isn't a fool 😁
The name yerima will make wike unable to function properly cabling his wife.
Baba go roll all night in nightmares and pains
"How dare that small boy defy me"
The agony of a political tycoon who wished he stayed back at the office that day
His near perfect political career dipped over night
Worse ever Christmas season in Wikes Career 😆
Wike go and rest!

God bless my comrade @ Lt. AM Yerima. We didn't spend 5yrs plus in the military school only to be answerable to a corrupt civilian.

Na wa o.

Wike. Never expected someone to counter him like that

hafeeanubasy:
Thes should go and show what they are known for with the terrorists and bandits terrorising us not as Mei guard for a fraudulently acquired lands!

. Are you one of Wike's aides?

Who the gods wants to kill the first make him mad

Yeah no lies detected. That old man dey carry dey do. I for one, isn't happy with the way he embarrassed Fubara..

See how he was embarrassing himself yesterday; you claimed to be older and all, yet misbehaved terribly. Small talk he brought in education gap between them as if it was relevant, called the officer demeaning names and all..

But the young disciplined soldier (who was more mature in conduct), maintained professionalism; " I'm just following orders and if you got a problem with that, contact superior authorities". But Wike, being a badly behaved drunkard turned it into a scene...