No assassination attempt on naval officer in face-off with Wike – Police

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has dismissed reports claiming that a Nigerian Navy officer, Lt. Ahmed Yerima, survived an assassination attempt in Abuja, describing the story as false and unverified.

The rebuttal follows a report by Vanguard alleging that Yerima was trailed by unidentified men dressed in black and travelling in two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates.

According to the report, the alleged pursuit began around 6:30 p.m. at the NIPCO filling station along the Kubwa Expressway and continued to Gado Nasco Way, with Yerima said to have escaped through a “strategic manoeuvre” during a high-speed chase.

The narrative quickly fueled speculation that the alleged incident was linked to the officer’s recent confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over a disputed land allocation in Abuja.

However, in a statement issued on Sunday night, the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said no such incident was reported or recorded anywhere in the territory.

“The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to publications circulating on social media alleging an attempted assassination on Lt. Ahmed Yerima.

“The command wishes to categorically state that no such incident has been reported or recorded anywhere within the Federal Capital Territory.

“The public is advised to disregard this false information and desist from spreading unverified claims capable of causing unnecessary panic,” the statement read.

She also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police division.

Yerima had clashed with Wike on November 11 over a disputed plot of land in Gaduwa District, said to belong to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd).

Viral videos showed Yerima, who was on security duty, blocking the minister’s team from accessing the property.

Wike accused the retired naval chief of illegal development on the land and confronted Yerima for allegedly assaulting officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority who were deployed to stop the construction.

During the confrontation, the minister was heard berating the officer, calling him a “fool” and questioning his authority. The incident triggered widespread debate, with opinions divided.

While some argued that the minister acted within his constitutional powers and that the officer erred, several military veterans defended Yerima, rejecting any calls for disciplinary action and demanding an apology from Wike.

Separately, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, assured that no military personnel performing lawful duties would be punished.

“We will always protect officers on lawful duty,” he said during a briefing for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.