Breaking: Barely One Week After Clash With Wike, Navy Officer, Yarima Allegedly Survives Assassination Attempt 

By: Israel Adeleke

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that, the Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yarima, who recently drew national attention over a tense confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reportedly escaped an assassination attempt in Abuja.

OTN News further reports as gathered from Vanguard report that, Yarima was trailed on Sunday evening by men dressed in black and riding in two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates. 

The reports further explained that, the suspicious vehicles allegedly began pursuing him from the NIPCO Filling Station along the Line Expressway and continued the chase toward Gado Nasco Way.

Sources said the officer became aware of the surveillance and executed a “strategic manoeuvre,” managing to evade the suspected attackers at about 6:30 p.m.

“The matter is already under investigation and is receiving the seriousness it deserves,” one of the sources confirmed, adding that further details are being withheld to avoid compromising ongoing inquiries.

OTN News observes that, the alarming incident comes just days after Yarima was involved in a heated exchange with FCT Minister Wike at a disputed demolition site in the Gaduwa District of Abuja. 

The confrontation, captured on video, went viral, showing the minister verbally attacking the young officer who claimed to be on lawful duty with other security personnel.

Public outrage followed the footage, prompting the Presidency to suspend the demolition exercise. The episode also attracted widespread condemnation from retired military officers, civil society organisations and advocacy groups.

OTN News had earlier reported that, the Coalition of Retired Veterans, through its spokesperson Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, described Wike’s conduct as “disrespectful and unbecoming of a public official.” 

The group warned that ex-service members would “occupy both the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if any disciplinary action was taken against the naval officer.

Durowaiye-Herberts stressed that the military’s loyalty remains to the Nigerian state, not individual politicians. “How can a serving public officer call a naval officer a fool on camera?” he asked, insisting that Wike must tender a public apology.

Amid the controversy, the Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, assured that no service member carrying out lawful duties would face intimidation or punishment.

“We will always protect our officers and armed forces personnel who are carrying out lawful assignments,” he said during a briefing ahead of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations. 

“Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and doing it well.”

The report, however, noted that, investigation into the alleged assassination attempt on Lieutenant Yarima is ongoing.