A Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, has narrowly escaped what military sources describe as a suspected assassination attempt in the nation’s capital, barely one week after his controversial confrontation with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening around 6:30 p.m. when the naval officer was reportedly trailed by unknown individuals dressed entirely in black, operating two unmarked Hilux pickup trucks without registration plates. The suspicious vehicles followed Lieutenant Yerima from the NIPCO Filling Station along Kubwa Expressway to Gado Nasco Way, according to military insiders who spoke with Vanguard.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the young officer detected the unusual surveillance and promptly executed what was described as a strategic driving manoeuvre, successfully shaking off the suspected assailants. Military authorities have confirmed that an investigation into the incident has commenced and is being accorded maximum priority, though specific details remain classified to protect the integrity of ongoing inquiries.
The assassination scare comes against the backdrop of a heated exchange between Lieutenant Yerima and the FCT Minister at a contentious demolition site in Gaduwa District. The altercation, which was captured on video and went viral across social media platforms, triggered widespread public debate and forced the Presidency to halt the demolition exercise pending further review.
In the aftermath of the confrontation, retired military personnel across Nigeria criticized the minister’s conduct and demanded an apology. Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, who serves as spokesman for the Coalition of Retired Veterans, issued a stern warning that former service members would stage a protest by occupying both the office and private residence of the FCT Minister if any punitive measures were taken against the naval officer.
The veterans’ spokesman emphasized that officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces swear allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not to individual political appointees. He questioned how a public official could refer to a uniformed officer as foolish while cameras rolled, describing such behaviour as an affront to national institutions and the dignity of public service.
Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has given assurances that military personnel discharging their duties lawfully will receive full protection and face no sanctions over the Gaduwa incident. Speaking at the National Defence College during a ministerial briefing ahead of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, the Defence Minister stated categorically that officers performing their assigned responsibilities within legal bounds would always be shielded from victimization.
The Coalition of Retired Veterans had previously threatened mass mobilization to the FCT Ministry headquarters should disciplinary action be contemplated against Lieutenant Yerima for the confrontation with Minister Wike.