A Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yarima, on Sunday narrowly escaped what is believed to be an assassination attempt in Abuja, just days after his confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, sparked nationwide debate.
Military sources told Vanguard that the officer was trailed around 6:30 p.m. by unidentified men dressed in black and moving in two unmarked Hilux vans. The vehicles, which carried no number plates, reportedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way.
According to the sources, Yarima became suspicious of their movements and executed a "strategic manoeuvre" that enabled him to evade the suspected assailants. The matter has since been reported and is currently under investigation by military authorities.
A senior military source, who declined to provide further details due to the sensitive nature of the probe, said the incident is being handled with “the seriousness it deserves.”
The alleged assassination attempt comes less than a week after a heated confrontation between Lt. Yarima and Minister Wike at a disputed land site in Gaduwa District, Abuja. The altercation, captured on video and circulated widely online, drew massive public attention and prompted the Presidency to halt the planned demolition exercise at the site.
The confrontation also sparked outrage among military veterans, many of whom condemned Wike’s verbal outburst during the exchange.
Reacting to the development, the Coalition of Retired Veterans, through its spokesman Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, criticised the minister’s conduct and warned against any attempt to punish the naval officer.
The group vowed to “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if Yarima faced disciplinary action.
“How can a public office holder call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera?” Durowaiye-Herberts asked, insisting that such remarks demean the military and undermine the dignity expected of public office holders.
In a statement issued by the Command's spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the police described the circulating reports as false and urged the public to disregard them.
"The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to publications alleging an attempted assassination on Lt. Ahmed Yerima. The Command wishes to categorically state that no such incident has been reported or recorded anywhere within the FCT. The public is advised to disregard this misinformation and desist from spreading unverified claims capable of causing unnecessary panic."
The Command encouraged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activity to the nearest police sion.
Military and security authorities are expected to release additional details as the investigation progresses
