Naval Officer Who Clashed with Wike Reportedly Survives Assassination Attempt in Abuja

• Naval Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, the officer who recently clashed publicly with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over a disputed land site, reportedly survived an assassination attempt on Sunday evening in Abuja.
• Sources claim Yerima was trailed by unidentified men in two unmarked Hilux vans but successfully evaded them using a “strategic maneuver.”
• The incident occurred despite the Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, previously assuring that officers on lawful duty, like Yerima, would be protected. The matter is currently under investigation.

Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, the Nigerian Navy officer who recently engaged in a public confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reportedly survived an attempted assassination on Sunday evening.

According to Vanguard sources, the officer was allegedly trailed by unidentified men dressed in black and riding in two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates.

Sources claim the vehicles followed Yerima from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way around 6:30 p.m. The officer reportedly noticed the surveillance, carried out a “strategic maneuver,” and successfully evaded the suspected assailants.

The confrontation involving Yerima and Wike occurred on a disputed land site in the Gaduwa District. A viral video showed Wike verbally insulting the officer, an incident that drew widespread public condemnation and prompted the Presidency to intervene and halt the demolition exercise at the site.

Following the initial confrontation, the Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, publicly assured that no military personnel acting lawfully would be sanctioned over the altercation.

Speaking during a ministerial briefing for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations, Badaru stated:

“We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty,” Badaru said during a ministerial briefing for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations at the National Defence College.

“Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and doing it well.”

Sources indicated that the attempted assassination matter is currently under investigation and is receiving “the seriousness it deserves,” with further details withheld to avoid compromising the process.