A Nigerian Navy officer at the centre of the epic clash with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has reportedly survived a dramatic assassination attempt in Abuja, just days after their confrontation went viral.
Lt. A.M. Yarima was said to have been tailed by two black, unmarked Hilux vans with no number plates on Sunday evening, military sources told Vanguard.
The shadowy vehicles allegedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway all the way to Gado Nasco Way.
Realising he was being hunted, the officer executed a “strategic maneuver” and managed to shake off the suspected hitmen around 6:30 p.m. The incident is now under tight investigation, with officials withholding further details to avoid jeopardising the probe.
The scare comes on the heels of Yarima’s explosive face-off with Wike at a disputed Gaduwa land site — an encounter that set social media ablaze and forced the Presidency to halt the demolition exercise.
Military veterans nationwide erupted in anger after the video showed Wike verbally attacking the officer. They demanded an apology and warned against any attempt to discipline Yarima.
“How can a public office holder call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera?” coalition spokesman Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts thundered, vowing that veterans would “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if Yarima is punished.
Defence Minister Mohammad Badaru Abubakar has assured that no officer acting lawfully will be victimised.
“We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty,” he said. “Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and doing it well.”
Veterans had earlier issued an ultimatum, promising a mass mobilisation if anyone attempts to sanction Lt. Yarima.
