By Kelvin Adegbenga
It is both shocking and shameful that a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd), could descend so low as to deploy his armed military security details to attack officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Department of Development Control, men who were merely carrying out their lawful duties.
Available information from credible sources indicates that the disputed building under construction does not have any allocation, building plan, or official approval from the relevant authorities.
This is a blatant violation of FCTA’s development regulations. How then can a retired top military officer, who once occupied one of Nigeria’s most sensitive national security positions, choose to build on land without legal documents, regional approval, or valid acquisition?
The incident reflects a disturbing sense of impunity. The Nigerian military, as respected as it is, does not possess the authority to intimidate civilians or obstruct government officials from performing their lawful functions.
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly stipulates that internal law enforcement and policing duties rest solely with the Nigeria Police Force, not with serving or retired military personnel. What legal power, then, does Admiral Gambo or his aides have to take the law into their own hands? None whatsoever.
By reportedly deploying a Naval officer to the site, Gambo not only acted illegally but also tarnished the image of the institution he once led. The Nigerian Navy, known for discipline, professionalism, and respect for civil authority, should not be associated with acts of lawlessness or the misuse of arms against unarmed civil servants.
It is a disgrace to the naval profession that someone who once served as the Chief of Naval Staff, a position that demands integrity and adherence to the rule of law, would engage in such acts of intimidation rather than follow due process. The essence of leadership, especially in the military, lies in discipline and respect for constituted authority.
The FCT Administration must not yield to this act of intimidation. The misuse of military power to obstruct legitimate urban regulation should never be tolerated. The law must apply equally to all, whether to a retired Admiral or an ordinary citizen.
Allowing such misconduct to go unpunished would send the wrong message that those once in power can act above the law.
Nigeria must reject this culture of impunity. The rule of law must prevail. And Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo must be reminded that no uniform, no title, and no past office grant anyone immunity from accountability.
Kelvin Adegbenga writes from FCT, Abuja. kelvinadegbenga@yahoo.com @kelvinadegbenga
