A young Nigerian Navy Lieutenant, A.M. Yarima, narrowly escaped what military sources describe as an assassination attempt on Sunday evening, just days after his heated public confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

According to senior military insiders who spoke anonymously, Lt. Yarima was trailed by unidentified men dressed in black and riding in two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates. The pursuit reportedly began at the NIPCO Filling Station along the Line Expressway and continued through Gado Nasco Way around 6:30 p.m.

Sources said the officer became aware of the suspicious vehicles and executed a “strategic maneuver” to evade the pursuers. The incident is now the subject of an active investigation, with authorities treating it as a serious security threat. Further details were withheld to avoid compromising the probe.

The development follows a widely circulated video of a tense confrontation last week between Lt. Yarima—who was on official duty at a disputed demolition site in Gaduwa District—and Minister Wike. The viral clip showed a heated exchange that drew nationwide reactions and prompted presidential intervention, leading to the immediate suspension of the demolition exercise.

In the uproar that followed, military veterans across Nigeria condemned Wike for allegedly insulting the naval officer, with one clip capturing the minister calling him “a fool.” The Coalition of Retired Veterans, through its spokesman, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, warned that former service members would “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if any disciplinary action was taken against Lt. Yarima.

“Military personnel owe allegiance to Nigeria, not to individual public officials,” Durowaiye-Herberts stated. “Wike must apologise for his remarks. How can a public office holder demean an officer in uniform on camera? This erodes the dignity of public institutions.”

The veterans had earlier vowed to mobilise nationwide and occupy the FCT Ministry should the officer face sanctions.

Amid growing tensions, Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, assured the public of full protection for personnel performing their lawful duties. Speaking at a ministerial briefing ahead of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Abubakar stated: “We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty. Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and doing it well.”

As of press time, neither the Nigerian Navy nor the FCT Ministry has issued an official statement on the alleged assassination attempt, with investigations ongoing.

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