The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stressed that no responsible officer should carry out an unlawful order, regardless of who issues it.

Wike made the remark on Thursday during a media briefing held after the FCT Executive Committee meeting. His comment followed a confrontation earlier in the week involving him, FCT officials, and military personnel over access to a disputed piece of land in Abuja.

According to the Minister, professionalism requires security operatives to distinguish between lawful and unlawful directives.

“You are carrying out an illegal job. When people talk about ‘orders,’ must you obey an illegal order?” he said.

“If you are an officer and you know what you’re doing is illegal, even if someone calls it an order, it is still wrong.”

He recalled a previous situation involving the Nigeria Police building under a high-tension electric line, noting that it was resolved peacefully after he personally intervened and contacted the Inspector General of Police.