By Samuel Okechukwu
ABUJA, NIGERIA- Reports that a Nigerian Navy officer, Lt. Ahmed Yerima, who had a face-off with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, was almost assassinated have been dismissed by the police.
The development comes after online media platforms and social media reports claimed that Yerima was followed by unidentified men dressed in two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates in Abuja.
This clarification was made after a disturbing rumour circulated, primarily on social media, suggesting that the officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, had been targeted following his widely publicized confrontation with the Minister.
READ ALSO
Police Refute Assassination Attempt Claim
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command said the claims were false and unverified.
The Nigerian Police Force immediately moved to counter the rumour, stating that there was no credible evidence to support the claim of an assassination attempt on Lt. Yerima.
Soon after the video of the Wike/Yerima confrontation went viral, reports began to spread online, suggesting that individuals believed to be associated with powerful interests had attempted to harm or assassinate Lt. Yerima, perhaps due to his defiance of the Minister.
The Nigerian Police authorities dismissed the claim as unfounded and an example of misinformation designed to inflame public tensions surrounding the incident. While the police did not issue extensive details, their quick denial aimed to prevent panic and the politicization of an already sensitive incident and ensure that the formal investigation into the land dispute and the use of military personnel to guard private property—which is the substantive issue—was not derailed by sensational rumours.
The public interest in Lt. Yerima’s safety stems directly from the dramatic nature of his interaction with Minister Wike:
The Incident: Lt. Yerima, alongside other naval personnel, physically blocked Minister Wike from accessing a disputed property in Abuja, which was allegedly linked to a retired Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).
The Defiance: Lt. Yerima maintained his ground, refusing to be intimidated by the Minister, who verbally abused him (calling him “a fool”). Yerima’s composure and insistence on following his orders earned him widespread public support, transforming him into a symbol of resistance against perceived abuse of power.
The Police statement was essential to debunk the dangerous rumour and prevent the already polarized national conversation from escalating further into claims of political violence.
