NAVAL OFFICER SURVIVES SUSPECTED ASSASSINATION BID AMID LAND DISPUTE CONTROVERSY

Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, a Nigerian Navy officer, is at the center of a major security scare after evading a suspected assassination attempt in Abuja on Sunday.

The event unfolded around 6:30 p.m. as the officer was trailed by two unmarked Hilux vans carrying men dressed in black. Military sources confirmed the vehicles had no license plates.

The sources detailed that Lieutenant Yerima detected the surveillance and executed a sharp maneuver to break away from his pursuers, thereby escaping the potential attack.

This alarming incident occurs in the direct aftermath of the officer’s public confrontation with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, at a disputed land site in Gaduwa District. A video of the clash went viral on social media, sparking widespread condemnation from military veterans.

The veterans strongly denounced Minister Wike’s treatment of the officer and unanimously rejected calls for any disciplinary action against Yerima. They issued a stern warning, stating that former service members were ready to storm the minister’s office if retaliation occurred.

In a statement addressing the tensions, Defence Minister Mohammad Badaru Abubakar sought to reassure the armed forces. He said, “No officer performing lawful duty would be penalised,” and added, “The government will protect all service members acting within the law.”

The attempted attack on Lieutenant Yerima is now under official investigation. Authorities are currently withholding further details to preserve the integrity of the ongoing inquiries.