A young Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yarima, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Sunday evening in Abuja, following a recent public confrontation with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Military sources told Vanguard that Lieutenant Yarima was tailed by unidentified assailants dressed in black, traveling in two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates. The suspects reportedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station on Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way around 6:30 p.m.
Alert to the surveillance, Yarima executed a strategic maneuver that enabled him to evade the suspected attackers. Authorities have launched an investigation, which is being handled with utmost seriousness; further details remain confidential to avoid compromising the inquiry.
This incident follows a tense confrontation between Lieutenant Yarima and Minister Wike over a disputed land site in Gaduwa District, which was captured on video and sparked nationwide debate. The Presidency intervened, halting the demolition exercise at the site.
Military veterans across the country condemned Minister Wike’s verbal insults directed at Yarima and opposed any disciplinary action against the officer. Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, spokesman for the Coalition of Retired Veterans, warned that ex-service members would “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” should Yarima face punishment.
He emphasized that military personnel are loyal to Nigeria as a nation, not to individual officials, and called on Wike to apologize for his remarks. “How can a public office holder call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera?” he asked, underscoring that such conduct diminishes the dignity of public institutions.
Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Mohammad Badaru Abubakar reassured that no military personnel acting lawfully would be sanctioned for the altercation. Speaking during a ministerial briefing for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Defence College, Abubakar stated, “We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty. Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and doing it well.”
Veterans maintain their resolve to mobilize and occupy the FCT Ministry if any punitive measures are taken against Lieutenant Yarima.
