Navy Officer Who had heated exchange with Wike ‘Escapes Assassination Attempt’ — Investigation Underway

A young Nigerian Navy officer, Lt. A.M. Yarima the same officer who recently clashed with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has reportedly survived an assassination attempt on Sunday evening.

Military sources told Vanguard that unidentified men dressed in black, driving two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates, trailed the officer from the NIPCO Filling Station along the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way. Their coordinated movement reportedly raised immediate suspicion.

Upon sensing the threat, Yarima executed a “strategic maneuver,” successfully shaking off the suspected assailants around 6:30 p.m. The matter is currently under investigation, with officials describing it as “sensitive” and insisting that certain details are being withheld to avoid compromising ongoing findings.

This incident comes barely days after Yarima’s viral confrontation with Wike at a disputed land site in Gaduwa an exchange that sparked public outrage and forced the Presidency to halt the demolition exercise.

Following the clash, military veterans nationwide condemned Wike’s conduct, labelling his verbal attack on the officer as disrespectful and unacceptable. Coalition spokesman, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, warned that ex-service members were prepared to “occupy” the minister’s office and residence if any disciplinary action was taken against Yarima, stressing that military personnel owe allegiance to the nation, not to individual officials.

Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, later reassured the public that no officer acting lawfully would be punished, emphasising that the government remains committed to protecting personnel performing their duties professionally.

Veterans had earlier vowed to mobilise across the country should Lt. Yarima face any form of penalty a threat many say reflects the depth of support the young officer currently enjoys.

Apologize for using abusive language on naval officer Military veterans tell Wike.

A coalition of Nigerian military veterans has asked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to apologize to the young naval officer for using abusive language on him during a recent confrontation between the two during an enforcement visit to a disputed land in Abuja.

In a video which had earlier gone viral, the Minister was seen in a heated exchange with some naval personnel at a site in the FCT.

Wike had visited the location as part of an enforcement operation and questioned the presence of military personnel allegedly guarding the land.

According to the footage, Wike accused the officers of supporting an illegal development, while one of the naval personnel insisted they were acting on orders and that the land belonged to a former Chief of Naval Staff.

The altercation escalated, with Wike reportedly using harsh language against the officer.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, the Coalition of Military Veterans criticised Wike for verbally insulting the officer during the encounter.

The group said a public office holder should not use abusive language against security personnel carrying out official duties.

“How can a public office holder call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera? He should have engaged the Chief of Naval Staff privately rather than attempting to disgrace a retired senior officer,” Durowaiye-Herberts said.