Lt. A.M. Yerima, the young Navy officer who made headlines after confronting FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Sunday night.
Sources confirmed to SLINZGIST that Yerima was allegedly stalked by men in black outfits, moving in two unmarked Hilux vehicles with no plate numbers. The suspicious vans reportedly trailed him from the NIPCO Filling Station off Kubwa Expressway down to Gado Nasco Way.
According to the source, Lt. Yerima quickly sensed he was being monitored and carried out a tactical escape maneuver, allowing him to break away from the suspected attackers. The incident was said to have taken place at about 6:30 p.m.
The source further revealed that the case is now under active investigation and is being treated with the highest level of seriousness. Additional information is currently being withheld to avoid jeopardizing ongoing security procedures.
This development comes just days after Lt. Yerima, while on duty with a team of security operatives, was involved in a tense standoff with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over a disputed land site in the Gaduwa District. The confrontation, which was captured on video, quickly went viral and ignited widespread national debate. The uproar eventually triggered intervention from the Presidency, which ordered an immediate halt to the demolition exercise.
In the aftermath of the clash, military veterans across the country strongly condemned Wike’s verbal attack on the officer and dismissed calls for disciplinary action against Yerima.
Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, the spokesperson of the Coalition of Retired Veterans, warned that ex-service members were prepared to “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if any punitive measures were taken against the young officer.
He emphasized that military personnel swear an oath to defend Nigeria as a nation, not individual office holders. He insisted that Wike must offer a public apology for his outburst.
“How does a public office holder openly call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera?” he asked, stressing that such behavior disrespects national institutions and diminishes the dignity expected of public office.
Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Mohammad Badaru Abubakar has assured that no military personnel acting lawfully will be sanctioned over the altercation.
Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru reaffirmed the government’s stance on protecting security personnel performing their lawful duties. Speaking at a ministerial briefing ahead of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Defence College, he stressed that the administration would not tolerate any harassment or intimidation of officers doing their jobs responsibly.
“We are committed to safeguarding every officer carrying out lawful assignments,” Badaru stated. “Anyone serving the nation within the bounds of the law will receive full protection and support.”
His remarks follow earlier warnings from military veterans, who vowed to mobilise and storm the FCT Ministry if any disciplinary action was taken against Lt. Yerima.
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