Lieutenant Yarima Escapes Assassination Attempt in Abuja
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Democracy Newsline Newspaper – 16 November 2025
A young Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yarima, who recently became the focus of national debate following a confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, reportedly escaped an assassination attempt on Sunday evening in Abuja.
According to reliable military sources who spoke with Democracy Newsline, the officer was trailed by unidentified men dressed in black, riding in two unmarked Hilux vans with no number plates. The suspicious vehicles allegedly followed Yarima from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway through several intersections before intensifying their pursuit around Gado Nasco Way.
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Sources familiar with the incident said Lt. Yarima immediately sensed the unusual pattern of movement behind him. Drawing from his tactical training and operational experience, he allegedly executed a “strategic maneuver”—a controlled series of turns and accelerations designed to disrupt surveillance. The move successfully enabled him to evade the suspected assailants without drawing public attention or putting civilian motorists at risk.
The chase reportedly occurred around 6:30 p.m., a time when evening traffic was heavy enough to provide both cover and danger.
Military officials confirmed that the matter has been escalated to the appropriate security channels for full investigation, describing it as “a sensitive and troubling development that is receiving the seriousness it deserves.” Further details were withheld to avoid compromising security procedures or ongoing inquiries.
The dramatic pursuit comes barely days after a now-viral confrontation between Lt. Yarima and the FCT Minister during an enforcement operation at a disputed land site in the Gaduwa District.
In the video, which quickly circulated on social media and national television, Wike is seen exchanging heated words with security personnel on duty, including Yarima. The incident sparked immediate public outcry and intense debate regarding civil-military relations, the conduct of political office holders, and the protection of operational officers.
The controversy grew so intense that the Presidency intervened, temporarily halting the demolition exercise in Gaduwa pending further review.
Across the nation, military veterans—many of whom spent decades in uniform—expressed outrage at the Minister’s comments during the confrontation. The Coalition of Retired Veterans, speaking through its spokesman, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, issued an unusually strong statement rejecting calls for disciplinary action against Lt. Yarima.
He warned that former service members were prepared to “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” should the young officer face harassment or punishment for carrying out his lawful duty.
According to him, the military remains an institution that owes allegiance to the Constitution and the Nigerian people, not to any individual public official—no matter how highly placed.
“How can a public office holder call an officer ‘a fool’ on camera?” he asked. “Such conduct demeans the dignity of public office and undermines the very institutions that safeguard our democracy.”
The alleged assassination attempt has deepened public interest in the unfolding situation. Civil society groups, legal analysts, and retired security operatives have called for a transparent investigation to determine who was behind the suspicious pursuit and whether it was connected—directly or indirectly—to the recent confrontation.
Meanwhile, residents in Yarima’s operational area described him as disciplined, calm, and respectful, noting that he has built a reputation for professionalism even in tense operational environments. Some expressed concerns that political tensions may be endangering frontline security personnel who are simply performing their duties.
As investigations continue, questions linger about the motive behind the suspected assassination attempt and its implications for civil-military relations in the FCT.
Was it an isolated criminal act, a politically motivated threat, or a misinterpreted coincidence?
Security experts insist that the coming days will be crucial in determining both the facts of the case and its broader impact on national discourse.
For now, Lt. Yarima remains safe—and the nation watches closely.
