{"id":103075,"date":"2025-11-13T03:21:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T03:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=103075"},"modified":"2025-11-13T03:21:00","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T03:21:00","slug":"nigerians-praise-young-soldier-for-standing-up-to-powerful-minister","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=103075","title":{"rendered":"Nigerians praise young soldier for standing up to powerful minister"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Many social media users have hailed the soldier\u2019s demeanour, describing him as \u201ccourageous\u201d and \u201cbrave\u201d, with some using his photo on their WhatsApp statuses.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s administration.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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\u2019s well trained and fearless, he refused to be bullied,\u201d one user posted on X.<\/p>\n

\u201cDiscipline, courage, and integrity. The true spirit of the Nigerian military. The young officer A.M Yerima stood his ground with professionalism and honor,\u201d agreed another X user.<\/p>\n

In the video, Wike is heard saying to the soldier: \u201cYou are a very big fool. At the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Wike was still speaking, the officer cuts in to say: \u201cI am not a fool sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, it is not clear why the soldiers were there.<\/p>\n

The BBC has asked the Nigerian military for comment.<\/p>\n

Wike challenged the soldiers to provide proof of their legal right to occupy the land.<\/p>\n

Wike later told journalists he had visited the site after officials from the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council reported being chased away by soldiers.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what prevents us from progressing,\u201d Wike said. \u201cWhen the officials came, they said soldiers chased them away. I thought they did so illegally.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said the soldiers were unable to produce the documents he requested.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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