BREAKING: Yarima, Navy Officer in Wike clash survives alleged assassination attempt in Abuja

A young Nigerian Navy officer, Lt. A.M. Yarima, who recently clashed with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly survived an assassination attempt in Abuja.

According to military sources quoted by Vanguard, the officer was trailed on Sunday evening by unidentified men dressed in black and moving in two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates.

The vehicles were said to have followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way.

The source explained that Yarima became aware of the suspicious movement and carried out a “strategic manoeuvre,” which helped him escape.

The incident was said to have happened around 6:30 p.m.

The source added that the military has opened an investigation into the matter and is treating it with “the seriousness it deserves,” noting that more details are being kept confidential to avoid disrupting the process.

This development comes days after Lt. Yarima, while on duty with other security personnel, had a tense exchange with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike at a disputed land site in Gaduwa District.

The confrontation, which was captured on video, sparked widespread reactions and forced the Presidency to halt the demolition exercise at the location.

Following the incident, 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, warned that ex-servicemen would “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if the officer was punished.

He insisted that soldiers swear allegiance to Nigeria and not to individual public officials, stressing that Wike should apologise for his remarks.

“How can a public office holder call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera?” he asked, arguing that such behaviour disrespects national institutions and lowers the dignity of public office.

Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Mohammad Badaru Abubakar has assured that no military personnel carrying out lawful duty will be punished because of the clash.

“We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty,” Badaru said during a ministerial briefing ahead of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day. “Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and doing it well.”

Veterans had earlier threatened to storm the FCT Ministry if Lt. Yarima faced any disciplinary measures.

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