Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the minister of defence, has assured that no soldier or officer engaged in lawful duty will face sanctions over the recent altercation involving troops and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.
Speaking during the flag-off of activities marking the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the National Defence College, Abuja, Badaru reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting officers performing legitimate assignments.
“We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty. Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and if he does it well”, the minister declared.
His remarks follow public outrage and warnings from a coalition of retired military veterans who threatened to occupy the FCT Ministry if the soldier involved in the incident with Wike was sanctioned.
The soldier, who was reportedly acting on official orders to protect a disputed property in Abuja, became the subject of a heated confrontation with the FCT Minister earlier this week.
Providing updates on national security operations, Badaru highlighted major achievements recorded under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He revealed that in the past year alone, Nigerian troops have neutralised over 13,000 terrorists and criminals, arrested more than 17,000 suspects, and rescued nearly 10,000 hostages.
He added that over 100,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters and their families have surrendered, while hundreds of communities once under siege have been liberated, allowing displaced residents to return home.
“Our commitment to securing Nigeria’s vital economic assets is equally evident in the South-South, where over 1,900 illegal refining sites have been destroyed. These efforts have not only reduced crude oil theft but also curbed maritime-related crimes”, he said.
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The minister also outlined ongoing military modernisation efforts driven by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act 2023, which he described as a milestone in domestic defence manufacturing.
According to him, the initiative is positioning Nigeria as a rising hub for defence technology in Africa, with new acquisitions such as Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and naval vessels boosting operational readiness and reducing dependence on imports.
Badaru further disclosed that Nigeria continues to play a strong role in regional peacekeeping efforts, maintaining deployments in The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and South Sudan under international mandates.
Emphasising that “the strength of any military resides in its personnel,” Badaru said the welfare of officers and soldiers remains a top priority for the Tinubu administration.
He announced several welfare initiatives, including an upward review of the Ration Cash Allowance (RCA), modernisation of barracks facilities, and improved healthcare infrastructure such as the Invictus Care Centre for wounded personnel.
The government, he added, has paid ₦18 billion in Group Life Insurance benefits and introduced the Debarment Allowance to uphold the dignity of service members and support veterans.
“Beyond active service, we are strengthening support for our veterans through digital innovation. This includes a Veterans’ Databank and Call Centre, which will improve service delivery and welfare support for ex-servicemen”, he said.
As part of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day activities, the minister unveiled a digital engagement initiative tagged “Thank A Soldier”, a QR Code platform that enables Nigerians to send messages of appreciation and encouragement to serving troops and tributes to fallen heroes.
“This initiative aligns with our drive to modernise engagement through digital inclusion and youth participation,” Badaru explained.
Badaru said the 2026 celebration, themed “Valour, Sacrifice and Unity: Honouring Our Heroes,” is both a tribute and a national reminder of the price paid by Nigeria’s soldiers, sailors, and airmen to defend the country’s unity and sovereignty.
He noted that the remembrance day is not just ceremonial but a solemn national pledge of gratitude to those who continue to protect the nation at great personal risk.
“The liberty, relative peace, and stability we enjoy today are secured daily through the courage and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform,” the minister stated.
Badaru reaffirmed that the government would continue to strengthen the synergy among the military, security agencies, and civil society in its “whole-of-society” approach to tackling insecurity, while sustaining support for the families of fallen heroes and active-duty personnel.
