BREAKING: Gunmen Reportedly Trail Lt. Yarima in Abuja Weeks After Clash with FCT Minister Wike

Lt. A.M. Yarima, a young Nigerian Navy officer who recently clashed with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reportedly escaped an assassination attempt on Sunday evening.

According to military sources, Yarima was trailed by unidentified men dressed in black and driving two unmarked Hilux vans with no number plates. The vehicles allegedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station near the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way.

According to the source, the officer noticed the surveillance and used a “strategic maneuver” to successfully evade the suspected assailants. The incident reportedly took place around 6:30 p.m.

The source also stated that the matter is being investigated and is being treated with “the seriousness it deserves,” but that additional information is being withheld in order to protect the process.

The development comes just days after Lt. Yarima and other security personnel engaged in a tense confrontation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over a disputed land site in Gaduwa District. The clash, which was captured on video, sparked widespread public debate and prompted the Presidency to intervene, halting the demolition at the site.

Following the incident, military veterans across the country condemned Wike for verbally insulting the officer and rejected calls for disciplinary action against Yarima.

Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, spokesman for the Coalition of Retired Veterans, has warned that if the officer is punished, ex-service members will “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister.”

He insisted that Wike apologize for his remarks, emphasizing that military personnel owe allegiance to Nigeria rather than individual public officials.

“How can a public official call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera?” he asked, adding that such behavior undermines national institutions and diminishes the dignity of public office.

Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Mohammad Badaru Abubakar has stated that no military personnel who acted lawfully will face disciplinary action as a result of the altercation.

“We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel who are on lawful duty,” Badaru said during a ministerial briefing at the National Defence College for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

“Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is performing his duties lawfully and effectively.”

Veterans had previously vowed to mobilise and occupy the FCT Ministry if Lt. Yarima faced any disciplinary action.