By: Manoah Kikekon
ABUJA – Lieutenant A.M. Yarima, the Nigerian Navy officer whose viral confrontation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike made national headlines, has reportedly escaped a suspected assassination attempt, according to military sources.
The incident unfolded on Sunday evening when Lt. Yarima was allegedly trailed by unidentified men in two unmarked Hilux vans. The assailants, described as dressed in black and operating vehicles without license plates, pursued the officer from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway toward Gado Nasco Way.
A military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the vigilant officer detected the surveillance and executed a "strategic maneuver" to evade his pursuers. The high-stakes incident, which occurred around 6:30 p.m., concluded without physical harm to Lt. Yarima.
"The matter is under investigation and is receiving the seriousness it deserves," the source stated, adding that further operational details are being withheld to avoid compromising the ongoing probe.
This alarming development comes just days after a heated public altercation between Lt. Yarima and Minister Wike. The clash, which was captured on video, occurred at a disputed land site in the Gaduwa District where the officer was part of a security team on official duty.
The footage, which sparked widespread public outrage and debate, showed the minister verbally insulting the lieutenant, leading to calls for accountability. The Presidency subsequently intervened, halting the demolition exercise at the center of the dispute.
In the wake of the confrontation, military veterans across Nigeria have vehemently defended Lt. Yarima's actions. The Coalition of Retired Veterans, through its spokesman Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, had previously warned of severe consequences if the officer faced any disciplinary action.
"We will occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister," Durowaiye-Herberts had declared. He emphasized that military personnel pledge allegiance to the nation, not to individual public officials, and demanded a public apology from Minister Wike for his remarks.
Amid the growing tension, the Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has provided reassurance. Speaking during a ministerial briefing for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Abubakar affirmed that military personnel acting lawfully would be protected.
"We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty," the Defence Minister stated. "Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and doing it well."
This statement aligns with the veterans' position and adds a significant layer of official support for Lt. Yarima as the investigation into the alleged assassination attempt begins. The situation remains fluid, with the nation's attention fixed on the safety of the junior officer and the outcome of the official inquiry.