A Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yarima, who recently made headlines following a heated confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reportedly survived an alleged assassination attempt in Abuja on Sunday evening.
According to military sources, the officer was trailed by unidentified men dressed in black, moving in two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates. The suspicious vehicles allegedly began following him from the NIPCO Filling Station along the Line Expressway and continued the pursuit up to Gado Nasco Way at about 6:30 p.m.
Sensing coordinated surveillance, Lt. Yarima reportedly executed what sources described as a “strategic maneuver,” successfully evading the trailing vehicles and heading to safety. The incident has since been formally reported and is currently under investigation by military authorities, who say details are being kept confidential to avoid compromising ongoing inquiries.
Sunday’s development comes just days after the naval officer was involved in a viral confrontation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike at a disputed land site in Gaduwa District, identified as Plot 1946. The enforcement team, working under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), had moved to the site before tensions escalated into a heated exchange between the minister and the officer.
In the aftermath of the clash, the FCTA publicly accepted responsibility for the enforcement action and apologized to the minister for the procedural missteps that drew him into the controversy. The Ministry of Defence also issued a statement assuring that military personnel acting within the law will be fully protected while carrying out their duties.
The incident has sparked renewed public attention, especially from veterans’ groups and advocacy organizations, some of which had earlier warned against any punitive measures targeting Yarima following the confrontation with Wike.
As of press time, no suspects have been identified or arrested, and the military has not released details regarding possible motives or connections between the land-dispute clash and the reported attack. Authorities say further information will be provided as the investigation progresses.