BREAKING: Wike Bans Mobile Phones for Abuja Land Staff, Gives Reason

• The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has issued a strict ban on mobile phones for staff of AGIS and the Department of Land Administration, following viral footage showing the minister in a heated confrontation with a Naval officer over a disputed property in Abuja.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered a total ban on mobile phones for staff of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) and the Department of Land Administration on Grade Level 14 and below. The directive, which takes effect Wednesday, November 12, 2025, prohibits affected officers from entering office premises with their phones.

According to an internal memo signed by AGIS Head, Chijioke Nwankwoeze,:

“There shall be a ban on the use of mobile phones within the office premises for all officers on Salary Grade Level (SGL) 14 and below… affected staff are not permitted to enter the premises with their mobile phones henceforth.”

The ban reportedly stems from the minister’s reaction to videos of his heated altercation with a Naval officer at a disputed property site in Abuja, which circulated widely on social media. Sources within AGIS told VerseNews that some staff members had shared the footage across WhatsApp groups, prompting Wike’s fury and sense of betrayal.

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“The minister was furious that the videos spread among workers. He felt betrayed and saw it as sabotage,” a source said.

The decision has ignited backlash from staff and civil society advocates, who have described it as authoritarian and regressive. Many argue that it stifles transparency and accountability in public service.

One labour activist commented:

“This move shows intolerance and fear of exposure. In this digital age, banning phones is backward and unnecessary.”

As of now, the FCT Administration has not issued a public statement explaining or defending the directive, leaving affected staff and observers demanding clarification.