A Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yarima, who recently confronted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly escaped an assassination attempt in Abuja.
Military sources confirmed to Vanguard that Yarima was pursued on Sunday evening by unidentified men dressed in black and travelling in two unmarked Hilux vans with no number plates. The vehicles allegedly trailed him from the NIPCO filling station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way at approximately 6:30 p.m.
According to one senior military source, the officer detected the surveillance early and executed a “strategic manoeuvre,” enabling him to evade the suspected assailants. The source added that the matter is receiving “the seriousness it deserves,” with additional details withheld to avoid compromising ongoing investigations.
The incident comes just days after Lt. Yarima was filmed in a heated confrontation with FCT Minister Wike at a disputed land site in Gaduwa District. The clash—widely circulated on social media—occurred during a planned demolition exercise and quickly drew nationwide attention, prompting the Presidency to intervene and halt the operation.
Following the confrontation, military veterans across the country condemned Wike’s verbal attack on the officer, particularly his use of the word “fool,” which many said demeaned the military institution. The veterans also rejected calls for disciplinary action against Yarima.
Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, spokesman for the Coalition of Retired Veterans, warned that ex-service members were prepared to “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” should any sanctions be imposed on the officer. He argued that military personnel swear allegiance to Nigeria and its Constitution—not to individual public officeholders.
“How can a public office holder call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera?” he asked, insisting that Wike must apologise for what he described as a public humiliation of an officer on lawful duty.
Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Mohammad Badaru Abubakar has assured that no service member acting within the scope of the law will be punished over the altercation. Speaking during a ministerial briefing ahead of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Badaru reaffirmed the government’s support for military personnel as they carry out their duties.
“We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty,” he said. “Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and doing it well.”
Veterans had earlier threatened a mass mobilisation and a nationwide occupation of the FCT Ministry if Yarima faced any disciplinary action.
The alleged assassination attempt has further heightened tensions surrounding the incident, fuelling concerns among senior security officials about possible reprisals linked to the confrontation.
