The Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yarima, who was recently involved in a public confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reportedly survived an attempt on his life, militarynewsng.com can now report.
The incident which occured on Sunday evening it was learnt had send shocks into many military officers who were physically angry that such can happen to an officer doing his military duties
Military soures said that the officer was allegedly trailed by unidentified men dressed in black and travelling in two unmarked Hilux vans with no number plates. The vehicles allegedly followed the officer from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way.
According to the source, Lt. Yarima became aware of the surveillance and carried out a “strategic maneuver,” which enabled him to evade the suspected assailants. The incident was said to have occurred around 6:30 p.m.
The source added that the matter is currently under investigation and is being handled with “the seriousness it deserves,” noting that further information was being withheld to avoid compromising the process.
The development comes just days after the naval officer, while on official duty with other security personnel, engaged in a tense confrontation with FCT Minister Wike over the demolition of a disputed land site in Gaduwa District. The altercation, captured on video, generated nationwide debate and led to presidential intervention, which halted the demolition exercise.
Following the incident, several military veterans condemned Wike’s verbal outburst against the officer and dismissed calls for disciplinary action against Yarima.
Spokesman for the Coalition of Retired Veterans, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, warned that ex-service members would “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” should the Navy take punitive action against the officer.
He argued that military personnel owe allegiance to the Nigerian state and not individual office holders, insisting that Wike must apologise for referring to the officer as “a fool” during the confrontation.
“Such conduct undermines national institutions and demeans the dignity of public office,” Durowaiye-Herberts said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has assured the public that no military personnel acting lawfully will be punished over the incident.
“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 vowed to mobilise and occupy the FCT Ministry if Lt. Yarima faced any form of disciplinary action.
, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly survived an attempt on his life, militarynewsng.com can now report.){kind=link}