Lieutenant A.M. Yarima, the Nigerian Navy officer at the center of a recent viral confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reportedly survived an assassination attempt in Abuja.
According to a report by Vanguard, military sources revealed that the officer was trailed by unidentified individuals dressed in black and traveling in two unmarked Hilux vans. The vehicles, which bore no license plates, allegedly followed Lt. Yarima from the NIPCO Filling Station along the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Sensing the threat, Yarima reportedly executed a “strategic maneuver” that allowed him to evade the suspected assailants. The incident has since been escalated to the appropriate security authorities and is currently under investigation. Sources within the military said the situation is being treated with the seriousness it deserves, although further details are being withheld to avoid jeopardizing the investigation.
This development follows a high-profile altercation between Lt. Yarima and Minister Wike last week during a land dispute in the Gaduwa district of Abuja. The encounter, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, sparked nationwide outrage and reignited discussions about civilian-military relations.
The incident drew sharp criticism from retired military officers and advocacy groups. The Coalition of Retired Veterans, led by Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, condemned Wike’s conduct and warned that any punitive action against Lt. Yarima could lead to mass protests.
“How can a public office holder call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera? It’s unacceptable,” Durowaiye-Herberts said. “Military personnel swear allegiance to the Constitution of Nigeria, not to individuals. Disrespecting an officer in uniform undermines the institution and the dignity of public office.”
Calls for an official apology from Minister Wike continue to mount as the investigation into the attempted attack on Lt. Yarima unfolds.
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