LOSE-UP: Awwal Gambo — The Ex-Naval Chief at the Centre of Abuja Land Dispute with Wike

 

LOSE-UP: Awwal Gambo — The Ex-Naval Chief at the Centre of Abuja Land Dispute with Wike

A heated confrontation unfolded in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday when Nyesom Wike, Minister of the FCT, clashed with military personnel at the site of a disputed parcel of land in Abuja.

The property, located at Plot 1946, Buffer Transit Southern Park Way, Gaduwa District, has become the centre of an ownership controversy that has drawn national attention and sparked fresh debate over Abuja’s land administration policies.

According to TheCable, the land is being claimed by Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd), a former Chief of Naval Staff, who reportedly acquired the plot in 2020 during his tenure in the military.

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Wike’s Visit and the Heated Exchange

During an inspection visit to the site, Wike was reportedly accompanied by senior officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and security operatives. The minister was said to have confronted naval personnel stationed at the disputed location, insisting that the land was under the control of the FCT Administration and had been wrongly occupied.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as tense, with Wike engaging in a verbal exchange with uniformed officers who maintained that the land belonged to their former chief, Gambo.

The confrontation quickly became a trending topic across social media platforms, with many Nigerians divided over the legality of the land’s acquisition and Wike’s confrontational style of governance.

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The FCT’s Stand on Land Encroachments

Since assuming office in 2023, Wike has made land recovery a cornerstone of his tenure as FCT Minister. He has repeatedly vowed to reclaim all government lands and demolish illegal structures, regardless of the status of those involved.

The minister maintains that no individual or institution, including the military, is above the law, stressing that Abuja lands must be properly allocated through the FCTA’s due process.

In Wike’s words, “Abuja is not a place where people wake up and take land because of who they are. The law must apply to everyone equally.”

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Who Is Awwal Zubairu Gambo?

Born on April 22, 1966, in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd) is a seasoned naval officer and intelligence expert.

He began his education at Gwagwarwa Special Primary School in Kano and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate before proceeding to Rumfa College, where he completed his O-levels in 1984.

Gambo joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on September 24, 1984, as part of the 36 Regular Course, and was commissioned a Sub-Lieutenant on October 24, 1989.

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A Career in Naval Intelligence and Leadership

With a strong background in Intelligence and Underwater Warfare, Gambo attended several professional military courses, including:

• Junior Division 48/99, and

• Senior Course 26 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji.

He served in various command and intelligence roles within the Navy before being appointed as Chief of Naval Staff in 2021, under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

During his tenure, Gambo was credited with strengthening maritime security, enhancing naval operational readiness, and expanding Nigeria’s coastal surveillance capacity.

The Growing Controversy

While the full details of the disputed land’s ownership remain under investigation, reports suggest that Gambo’s claim is backed by documentation dating back to 2020, when he allegedly acquired the plot through official channels.

However, the FCT Administration insists the allocation may not have followed proper procedures, sparking renewed scrutiny of how lands were distributed to top government and military officials in recent years.

The matter has now escalated into a high-profile standoff between the FCT Ministry and retired security elites, raising broader questions about accountability, privilege, and land transparency in Nigeria’s capital city.