Officer Yerima Escapes Assassins Days After Confronting Minister Wike

Abuja was thrown into tension Sunday evening as naval officer Lt. A.M. Yerima narrowly survived an assassination attempt, days after his high-profile clash with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike sparked nationwide outrage.

Military sources say the attempt on Yerima’s life unfolded around 6:30 p.m. when two unmarked Hilux vehicles, occupied by men in black, began trailing him from the NIPCO Filling Station along the Line Expressway.
The vehicles reportedly shadowed him all the way to Gado Nasko Way. Realizing he was being hunted, Yerima executed a quick tactical manoeuvre that allowed him to break free from the suspected hit squad.

The brazen attack comes less than a week after Yerima, while on duty, stopped Wike from gaining access to a disputed land in Gaduwa District—a confrontation caught on video and shared widely across the country.
The footage, which showed Wike verbally attacking the officer, forced the Presidency to halt the demolition exercise tied to the land.
The incident ignited fierce criticism from military veterans, including retired generals, who accused Wike of desecrating the uniform and humiliating the armed forces.
The Coalition of Retired Veterans, through spokesperson Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, issued a stern warning, vowing to “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if any punitive action was taken against Yerima.
“How does a public official call a military officer ‘a fool’ on camera? That insult strikes at the foundation of our national institutions,” he said, demanding a public apology from Wike.
The Defence Ministry quickly moved to defuse tensions. Defence Minister Muhammad Badaru Abubakar assured that no officer acting legally would face sanctions, while the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, affirmed that Yerima’s conduct was professional and in line with his mandate.
Matawalle revealed that Wike had even ignored a direct appeal from the Chiefs of Defence and Naval Staff to allow a proper review before taking any action.
Security agencies have launched a full investigation into the assassination attempt, though details are being kept secret to avoid jeopardizing the ongoing probe.