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.

Lieutenant Yarima escapes "assassination attempt" in Abuja days after engaging in tense confrontation with Wike.

Nigerian Navy officer, Lt. A.M. Yarima, who recently had a confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reportedly escaped an assassination attempt around 6:30pm on Sunday, Nov. 16.

According to Vanguard, military sources stated that Yarima was trailed by some unknown men clad in black and riding in two unmarked Hilux vans with no number plates. The vehicles allegedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way.

According to the source, Yarima noticed the men trailing him and executed a “strategic maneuver,” successfully evading the suspected assailants.

The source added that the matter is under investigation and is receiving “the seriousness it deserves.”

The source also disclosed to the publication that further details are being withheld so as not to compromise the investigation.

This comes days after Lt. Yarima, while on duty with other security personnel, engaged in a tense confrontation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over a disputed land site in Gaduwa District.

I Don’t Have Any Problem With The Military” – Wike Speaks After Clash With Soldiers In Abuja.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dispelled any claims of a misunderstanding between himself and the Nigerian military.

According to Wike, who spoke with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, he has no problem and would never have a problem with the military.

His comments follow the altercation between him and an officer of the Nigerian Navy on Tuesday over the legality of an ongoing development of a land in Abuja, which has since snowballed into a matter of national discourse.

However, in his chat with newsmen on Thursday, the FCT Minister stated that claims in certain quarters about a fallout between him and the Nigerian military are false, mischievous, and unfounded.

He submitted that the Armed Forces is an institution he has utmost respect for, adding that his administration has remained steadfast in supporting military operations within the FCT and across Nigeria.

“Let me make it clear I do not have any problem with the military and will never have. I have great respect for the institution and for the sacrifices they make to keep our nation safe,” he said.

Addressing his comments during the heated confrontation which broke out on Tuesday in Abuja after soldiers prevented him and his entourage from accessing a parcel of land in the Gaduwa district, Wike said his words were taken out of context as he was only advocating for lawful conduct and adherence to constitutional principles by all security operatives.

“What I said was simple no officer or individual should carry out an illegal order. If an instruction is unlawful, you have the right to say no. That does not mean I have a problem with the military.

You Can't Shut Me Up, Look At You, You're My Junior You Can't Talk When I'm Talking-Lt. A.M Yerima.

Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, a Nigerian Navy officer, has drawn public attention after a video shared by Channels Television captured him leading a team of soldiers to block an alleged attempt by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to demolish the property of former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd).

In the footage, Yerima was seen standing firmly in front of police officers and officials from the FCT Administration who had arrived at the site to execute the demolition order. The naval officer resisted the move, insisting that the operation could not proceed without proper clearance from the appropriate authorities.

As tensions rose, Yerima clashed verbally with one of the police officers who tried to intervene in the heated situation. The visibly angry officer said, “You cannot shut me up. Look at you, you are my junior, you cannot even talk when I’m talking.” His response drew gasps from bystanders, highlighting the intensity of the standoff between the two security agencies.

Eyewitnesses reported that Yerima and his men successfully prevented the demolition team from entering the disputed property, located in an upscale district of Abuja. The building had earlier been marked for demolition by the FCT Administration over alleged violations of land use regulations.

“A Threat to National Security” — Buratai Slams Wike Over Clash with Naval Officer in Abuja

In a bold statement that has stirred national debate, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd.), has warned that the recent altercation between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a Nigerian Navy officer poses a “clear and present danger to national security.”

Buratai, writing on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, condemned Wike’s public confrontation with the officer, describing it as “a reckless act that undermines the authority of the Commander-in-Chief and the integrity of the Armed Forces.”

The confrontation reportedly took place at Plot 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja, over a disputed parcel of land allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff.

According to reports, Wike—accompanied by officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA)—had arrived at the site to halt what he called an illegal construction. A viral video from the scene shows the minister angrily confronting the officer, declaring that “no one, not even the Chief of Naval Staff, is above the law.”

The unnamed officer, however, maintained that the land belonged to a former service chief and was under legitimate military protection.

Reacting to the viral footage, Buratai warned that Wike’s actions went beyond political theatrics.

“A minister’s verbal assault on a uniformed officer is an act of profound indiscipline that strikes at the foundation of our national security,” he said.

Buratai urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to view the situation as a serious national security concern, insisting that Wike must publicly apologize to the Commander-in-Chief, the Armed Forces, and the affected officer.

“Our nation’s security must come first. It is time for decisive action, not politics of military bashing,” Buratai added.

The incident continues to spark heated reactions across Nigeria, with military veterans and citizens debating the boundaries of ministerial authority and military respect under a democratic government.

Nigerian Navy Rescues 10 Crew Members from Distressed Vessel Off Calabar Coast.

The Nigerian Navy says its personnel have rescued 10 crew members from a distressed vessel off Calabar waters.

In a statement on Friday, Navy spokesperson Commodore A. Adams-Aliu said the rescue was carried out by troops of Forward Operating Base (FOB) IBAKA after receiving a distress call at about 8pm.

According to him, the Base deployed a naval gunboat fitted with a submersible pump to assist MV SEMA III, which had departed Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, and was heading to Calabar, Cross River State, before it began taking in water.

Upon arrival, the naval team safely evacuated all 10 occupants — one Cameroonian, one Equatorial Guinean, and eight Nigerians. The rescued crew members were taken to FOB IBAKA, where they were debriefed, cared for, and accommodated until Saturday, 8 November 2025.

The Master of MV SEMA III expressed deep appreciation to the Nigerian Navy for the swift response and professional handling of the situation.

He added that the incident highlights the Navy’s strengthened efforts under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to enhance maritime safety, safeguard national maritime assets, and support lawful economic activities within Nigeria’s territorial waters.

Nigeria Records Zero Piracy Cases in Five Years – Naval Chief

Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, says the country has not recorded a single case of piracy on its waterways in the past five years, crediting the achievement to sustained naval patrols and operations.

Speaking at the passing-out parade of the 2025 set of sailors at the Nigerian Navy School, Ikot Ntuen, Akwa Ibom State, Ogalla — represented by Rear Admiral Gabriel Aligwe — highlighted the impact of initiatives like Operation Delta Sanity and constant surveillance systems.

He commended naval personnel for their resilience in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain and urged graduating sailors to remain focused on their careers. Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Eno, also encouraged the cadets to shun vices and pursue excellence in service and education.

#Nigeria #Navy #Piracy #MaritimeSecurity #EmmanuelOgalla #OperationDeltaSanity

Nigerian Navy Officer Dead As Boat Drowns In Lagos Anti-Rice Smuggling Operation.

The Nigerian Navy, operating from Forward Operating Base Escravos under NNS Delta, intercepted six boats carrying stolen crude oil and arrested three suspects for pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta, based on intelligence reports.