In a dramatic turn of events underscoring Nigeria's fragile civil-military dynamics, Lieutenant Ahmed Muhammad Yerima, a 33-year-old Nigerian Navy officer, narrowly escaped what military insiders describe as a brazen assassination attempt today, Sunday, November 16, 2026, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The incident, which unfolded around 6:30 p.m. along a bustling Abuja route, has intensified scrutiny on a recent viral confrontation between Yarima and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, raising alarms about potential reprisals in ongoing land enforcement drives.
Yarima, who has emerged as a national symbol of principled resistance following his standoff with the minister, was reportedly shadowed by a pair of unmarked Toyota Hilux vehicles—sans license plates—from the NIPCO fuel station off the Airport Road (Line Expressway) toward Gado Nasco Way, a key arterial corridor in the capital.
Eyewitness accounts and military sources indicate that the pursuers, clad in nondescript black attire, maintained a persistent tail, prompting Yarima to deploy evasive driving tactics honed from his naval training. Through a calculated "strategic maneuver"—involving abrupt lane changes and acceleration into heavier traffic he shook off the vehicles without incident, arriving safely at his destination.
The Nigerian Navy has launched a discreet probe into the episode, classifying it as a high-priority security matter. "This is being treated with the gravity it warrants, but operational sensitivities preclude further disclosure at this juncture," a senior officer confided, emphasizing that Yarima's alertness likely averted a tragic outcome. While no arrests have been announced, the absence of vehicle registration and the assailants' anonymity have fueled speculation of links to vested interests in Abuja's contentious real estate landscape.
The Spark: A Viral Standoff Over Disputed Territory
The attempt arrives mere days after Yarima's widely circulated November 11 clash with Wike at Plot 1946 in the upscale Gaduwa District, a burgeoning southwestern suburb of Abuja known for its green corridors and proximity to the Southern Parkway. What began as a routine enforcement operation by the FCT Administration (FCTA) escalated into a tense face-off when Yarima, leading a contingent of armed naval personnel, barred Wike's entry to the site. The minister, accompanied by FCTA officials and security details, sought to inspect and halt unauthorized construction on the 1.5-hectare parcel, which authorities deem illegally developed.
At the heart of the dispute lies a murky allocation history. The plot was originally earmarked in 2007 for recreational use under a provisional "letter of intent" issued to Santos Estate Limited by the FCTA's Department of Parks and Recreation. However, this document—lacking a statutory Right of Occupancy (C-of-O)—imposed strict timelines: a detailed technical proposal within 21 days and full development within one year, neither of which materialized. By 2025, the FCTA had formally revoked the intent, citing violations of the Federal Capital Territory Act of 1976 and the Urban and Regional Planning Act of 1992. Recent monitoring flagged construction activity on October 17, including earthworks and foundational pouring, allegedly tied to a prominent retired flag officer—former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo—though his representatives claim he was "scammed" by intermediaries posing as legitimate developers.
Video footage of the encounter, which has amassed millions of views across social media, captures Wike's frustration boiling over. "I represent the President of Nigeria," the minister declared, demanding access and decrying the deployment of military assets to shield private interests. In a heated exchange, Wike reportedly labeled Yarima "a fool," a remark that ignited nationwide outrage and prompted swift Presidential intervention. The State House ordered a temporary suspension of the demolition exercise pending a full review, averting immediate escalation.
FCTA Director of Development Control, Tpl. Mukhtar Galadima, and Director of Lands Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, later acknowledged "dragging" Wike into the fray via an emergency distress call, citing threats from armed guards. "We regret the optics but stand by our mandate to enforce urban planning laws," Galadima stated, underscoring that no formal title exists for the claimants, rendering the structures unlawful.