Navy Officer Lt. Yerima escapes alleged assassination attempt days after clash with Wike

A young Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant A. M. Yerima, reportedly escaped an attempted assassination in Abuja on Sunday evening, military sources have confirmed.

According to the sources, the officer was trailed by unidentified men dressed in black and driving two unmarked Hilux vans with no number plates.

The vehicles allegedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station along the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way.

Realising that he was being monitored, Lt. Yerima was said to have carried out a “strategic manoeuvre” that helped him evade the suspected assailants. The incident happened around 6:30 p.m., and security authorities have opened an investigation. Further information is being kept confidential to avoid affecting the ongoing probe.

The development comes just days after Yerima, while on duty with other security personnel, had a tense confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over a disputed land site in the Gaduwa District. The video of the clash went viral and generated nationwide reactions, leading the Presidency to suspend the planned demolition at the location.

Following the incident, military veterans criticised Wike for verbally attacking the naval officer and rejected any suggestion that Yerima should be punished.

Spokesman for the Coalition of Retired Veterans, Durowaiye-Herberts, warned that ex-service members would “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if the officer faced sanctions. He stressed that military officers owe allegiance to Nigeria and not to individual public officials, insisting that Wike should apologise.

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

Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, also addressed the matter, assuring that no military personnel acting lawfully would be punished over the confrontation. Speaking during the ministerial briefing for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Defence College, he stated: “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 vowed to mobilise and occupy the FCT Ministry if Lt. Yerima faced any disciplinary action.