iDeemlawfulA young Nigerian Navy officer, Lt. A.M. Yarima, who recently clashed with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reportedly survived an assassination attempt on Sunday evening.
Military insiders told Vanguard that Yarima was shadowed by unidentified men dressed in black and travelling in two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates. The vehicles allegedly tracked him from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way.
According to the source, the officer became aware of the surveillance and carried out a “strategic maneuver,” enabling him to escape the suspected attackers. The incident was said to have taken place around 6:30 p.m.
The source further stated that the case is being investigated and is receiving “the seriousness it deserves,” adding that additional information is being withheld to avoid jeopardising the process.
This development comes shortly after Lt. Yarima, while on duty alongside other security personnel, had a heated confrontation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over a contested land site in Gaduwa District. The exchange, which was recorded on video, triggered significant public reaction and led to intervention from the Presidency, which later halted the demolition exercise at the location.
Following the clash, military veterans across the country condemned Wike for verbally insulting the officer and dismissed calls for disciplinary action against Yarima.
Spokesman for the Coalition of Retired Veterans, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, cautioned that former service members would “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if the officer was sanctioned.
He emphasised that military personnel pledge allegiance to the nation—not individual public figures—and insisted that Wike must apologise for his comments.
“How can a public office holder call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera?” he asked, noting that such behaviour weakens national institutions and diminishes the integrity of public office.
Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Mohammad Badaru Abubakar has guaranteed that no military officer carrying out lawful duties will be punished over the confrontation.
“We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty,” Badaru stated during a ministerial briefing for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations at the National Defence College.
“Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and doing it well.”
Veterans had earlier pledged to mobilise and occupy the FCT Ministry if Lt. Yarima was subjected to any disciplinary measures.
