Naval Officer Who Clashed With Wike Reportedly Survives Assassination Attempt in Abuja Lt. A.M. Yerima

A young officer of the Nigerian Navy, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, has reportedly escaped an attempted assassination in Abuja on Sunday evening, according to military sources.

Sources said Yerima was trailed by unidentified men dressed in black and driving two unmarked Hilux vehicles without number plates. The men allegedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station along the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way.

Sensing he was under surveillance, Lt. Yerima was said to have executed a “strategic manoeuvre” that enabled him to evade the suspected attackers.

The incident reportedly occurred around 6:30 p.m., and authorities confirmed that the matter is now under active investigation. Further details are being withheld to avoid jeopardising ongoing inquiries.

This development follows days after Yerima, while performing his duty alongside other security personnel, was involved in a tense confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over a disputed land site in the Gaduwa District.

Footage of the confrontation went viral, igniting nationwide debate and prompting the Presidency to suspend the planned demolition at the site.

In the aftermath of the incident, military veterans condemned Wike for verbally insulting the officer and dismissed suggestions that Yerima should face disciplinary action.

Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, spokesperson for the Coalition of Retired Veterans, warned that ex-service members would “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if any sanctions were imposed on Yerima. He stressed that military officers swear allegiance to the nation and not to individual officeholders, insisting that Wike owed the officer an apology.

“How can a public office holder call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera?” he queried, arguing that such conduct undermines national institutions.

Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, also commented on the matter, assuring that no military personnel acting within the law would be punished over the confrontation. Speaking during the ministerial briefing for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Defence College, he said: “We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty. Any officer performing their duty lawfully will be protected.”

Veterans had earlier threatened to mobilise and occupy the FCT Ministry if Yerima faced any disciplinary action.

— The Star (headline modified)