By DAYO ADESULU
Navy officer survives high-speed pursuit by unidentified men in unmarked vans
A dramatic twist has emerged in the escalating tension surrounding the recent confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Navy Lieutenant A.M. Yarima. The officer, who openly resisted the minister during an enforcement operation at a disputed land site, has survived what military insiders describe as a coordinated assassination attempt in Abuja.
The frightening incident has intensified public debate, with many now questioning whether the clash with Wike may have placed the young officer in danger. The assassination attempt on Lt. Yarima is already stirring national outrage and raising fresh concerns about security, power tussles and accountability in the capital.
Suspicious vans trail officer through Abuja streets
Military sources confirmed that the attack occurred on Sunday, only days after Yarima’s confrontation with the minister went viral online. According to a senior officer familiar with the situation, the Navy lieutenant was returning from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway when he noticed two unmarked Hilux vans trailing his vehicle.
The occupants were reportedly dressed in black, and the vehicles bore no number plates — a detail that immediately raised suspicion.
“He realised he was being followed,” the senior officer said, describing the tense moment. “Once he confirmed the pattern, he executed a defensive manoeuvre to escape.”
The unmarked vans allegedly followed him from the expressway toward Gado Nasco Way, maintaining close distance. At that point, Yarima made a sudden diversion and took what military personnel described as a “strategic evasive route,” ultimately shaking off the suspected assailants.
The attempt occurred around 6:30 p.m., a time when the roads were still busy enough to conceal a pursuit but quiet enough for a targeted attack.
High alert within military circles
The assassination attempt on Lt. Yarima has sent shockwaves through military formations in Abuja. Top security officers are said to be reviewing CCTV footage and mapping possible escape routes used by the attackers.
“The matter is receiving the seriousness it deserves,” the source added, noting that investigators are keeping several details confidential to avoid compromising ongoing intelligence work.
Inside military circles, officers are reportedly alarmed, especially because Yarima has been in the public eye since his heated standoff with the minister. Many now fear the situation could escalate if decisive action isn’t taken.
Clash with Wike still dominating national conversation
The tension traces back to the incident at Plot 1946 in Gaduwa District, where personnel guarding a disputed construction site blocked the FCT minister and his team from enforcing a stop-work order. In the viral video, Yarima stood his ground, insisting he was acting on instructions — a stance that sparked wide reactions across the country.
Wike, visibly angered at the scene, accused unnamed powerful individuals of using military might to intimidate the FCTA. He also vowed that he would not bow to “blackmail or uniformed impunity.”
The standoff placed Yarima at the centre of a national firestorm, with civil society groups, lawyers and politicians weighing in. Some defended him as a disciplined officer protecting property under orders. Others argued that his conduct amounted to defiance of civil authority.
Now, with the assassination attempt on Lt. Yarima, the matter has taken a dramatic and dangerous turn.
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Investigations begin as questions multiply
While no group has yet claimed responsibility, investigators are probing several possible motives — including whether the attack is connected to the controversial land dispute or whether a third party is exploiting the national tension for a darker agenda.
For now, the Navy is keeping a tight lid on details, but officials confirm that Yarima is safe and has been placed under heightened security.
Abuja residents who followed the confrontation online say the attempt on his life should concern every Nigerian.
“When an officer survives something like this just days after a public altercation with a high-ranking government official, it raises serious questions,” one security analyst said.
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A developing story with national implications
The aborted assassination has transformed what was originally a land dispute into a much larger national security issue. As investigations deepen, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether the attack on Lt. Yarima leads to political fallout or deeper revelations about hidden interests behind Abuja’s sprawling land battles.
For now, one thing is clear: the assassination attempt on Lt. Yarima has moved the story far beyond a confrontation — it has become a high-stakes security crisis.
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