Navy Officer Who Confronted Wike Escapes Assassination Attempt in Abuja Share

A young Nigerian Navy officer, Lt. A.M. Yarima, who recently clashed with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly escaped an assassination attempt in Abuja.

Military sources told a news that Yarima was trailed on Sunday evening by unidentified men dressed in black and riding in two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates. The vehicles allegedly stalked him from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way.

According to one of the sources, the officer became aware of the surveillance and carried out a “strategic maneuver,” successfully evading the suspected assailants. The incident reportedly occurred around 6:30 p.m.

The source added that authorities have opened an investigation into the matter, stressing that it is being handled with “the seriousness it deserves,” while withholding further information so as not to compromise ongoing findings.

The development comes days after Lt. Yarima, while on official duty with other security personnel, engaged in a heated confrontation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over a disputed land in the Gaduwa District.

A video of the altercation went viral, stirred nationwide debate, and led to presidential intervention halting the planned demolition at the site.

In the aftermath, military veterans across the country criticised Wike for verbally insulting the officer and rejected calls for disciplinary action against Yarima.

Spokesman for the Coalition of Retired Veterans, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, warned that ex-service members would “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if the Navy officer was punished.

Durowaiye-Herberts argued that military personnel owe allegiance to Nigeria and not to individual public officials, insisting that Wike must apologise for calling the officer “a fool” during the confrontation.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has assured that no military personnel acting lawfully will be sanctioned over the incident.

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

Veterans had earlier vowed to mobilise and occupy the FCT Ministry if Lt. Yarima faced any disciplinary measures.