Police Deny Rumoured Attack on Naval Officer in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command on Sunday addressed reports claiming that a Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, escaped an assassination attempt in Abuja. The command said the story, which spread on social media and some online platforms, did not happen and was not recorded anywhere in the city.

The reports had said that around 6:30 p.m., unidentified men in two unmarked Hilux vans trailed the officer from the NIPCO filling station along the Kubwa Expressway to Gado Nasco Way. It was claimed that the officer escaped through a sharp driving move during a chase. The story gained wide attention because Yerima recently had a clash with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over a disputed piece of land in Abuja.

The police, through the FCT command spokesperson, said the claims were false and had no entry in any police division across the territory. The command urged the public not to spread reports that cannot be verified, as such stories can create fear and confusion.

The police also called on residents to continue to report suspicious activity to law enforcement.

The reported chase came days after Yerima was involved in a public confrontation with the FCT minister on November 11. The disagreement happened on a plot in the Gaduwa District, which reportedly belongs to retired Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo, a former Chief of Naval Staff. Viral videos showed Yerima blocking the minister’s convoy from entering the site, leading to an argument. Wike accused the retired naval chief of building on the plot illegally and accused the officer of assaulting officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority, who were sent to stop the construction.

The incident drew mixed reactions from the public. Some people supported the minister, saying he acted within his role. Others supported the officer, with many military veterans defending him and saying he should not be punished. The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, also said the government would not punish any officer carrying out lawful duty.

The debate around the land dispute and the claims of an attack continued to draw public interest, but the police restated that no attempt on Yerima’s life had been reported anywhere in Abuja.