Lt. A.M. Yerima, the Nigerian Navy officer who recently clashed with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reportedly survived an assassination attempt in Abuja on Sunday evening.

Military sources told Vanguard that the officer was trailed by unidentified men dressed in black and riding in two unmarked Hilux vans with no number plates. The suspected assailants allegedly followed him from the NIPCO filling station off the Kubwa Expressway down to Gado Nasco Way.

According to the source, Yerima noticed the surveillance and executed a “strategic maneuver” that enabled him to evade the vehicles. The incident was said to have occurred at about 6:30 p.m.

Authorities are investigating the matter, with officials noting that details are being withheld to avoid compromising ongoing findings.

The development comes days after Lt. Yerima, while on duty, engaged in a heated confrontation with FCT Minister Wike over a disputed land site in Gaduwa District. The exchange, which was captured on video, sparked nationwide debate and drew the attention of the Presidency, which later suspended the planned demolition at the site.

Following the clash, military veterans across the country condemned Wike’s remarks toward the officer and rejected any suggestion that Yerima should be sanctioned.
Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, spokesperson for the Coalition of Retired Veterans, warned that ex-service members would “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if any disciplinary action was taken.

He stressed that members of the armed forces swear allegiance to the nation—not individual officeholders—and insisted that Wike must apologise for calling the officer “a fool” during the altercation.

Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Mohammad Badaru Abubakar has assured 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,” he said during a ministerial briefing ahead of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day. “Any officer doing his job lawfully and doing it well will be protected.”

Veterans had earlier vowed to mobilise nationwide if Lt. Yerima faced any form of disciplinary action.