Navy Officer Lt. Yarima Survives Alleged Assassination Attempt After Clash With Wike— Report

Navy Officer Lt. Yarima Survives Alleged Assassination Attempt After Clash With Wike— Report

Nigerian Navy officer Lt. A.M. Yarima, who recently confronted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reportedly escaped an assassination attempt in Abuja.

Military sources told reporters that the officer was trailed on Sunday evening by unidentified men dressed in black and travelling in two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates.

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

The sources said Yarima detected the surveillance and executed a “strategic maneuver,” managing to evade the suspected assailants. The incident was said to have occurred around 6:30 p.m.

According to officials, the matter is under investigation and is being handled with “the seriousness it deserves.” Further details were withheld to avoid compromising the probe.

The incident comes days after Lt. Yarima, while on official duty, was involved in a heated confrontation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over a disputed land site in the Gaduwa District.

The clash, captured on video, sparked widespread public debate and prompted presidential intervention, which halted the planned demolition at the site.

In the aftermath, military veterans nationwide criticised the minister for verbally insulting the officer and rejected calls for disciplinary action against Yarima.

Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, spokesperson for the Coalition of Retired Veterans, warned that ex-service members would “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if any sanctions were imposed.

He insisted that military personnel owe allegiance to the country, not individuals, and demanded that Wike apologise for referring to the officer as “a fool.”

Minister of Defence Mohammad Badaru Abubakar has also reassured that no military officer performing lawful duties will be punished over the incident.

“We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty,” he said during a briefing ahead of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations.

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

Veterans had earlier vowed to mobilise and occupy the FCT Ministry should Lt. Yarima face disciplinary action.