The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has officially denied online reports claiming that Naval Officer Lt. Ahmed Yarima survived an assassination attempt in Abuja.
The denial, issued on Sunday night, follows viral social media accounts alleging that unidentified men in two unmarked Hilux vans trailed Yerima from the Kubwa Expressway to Gado Nasco Way on Sunday evening. According to the unverified reports, the officer evaded his pursuers through a “strategic manoeuvre.”
The alleged incident quickly sparked public speculation, with many linking it to Yerima’s recent public confrontation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over a disputed land in the Gaduwa District.
In a statement, FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, categorically refuted the claims.
“The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to publications alleging an attempted assassination on Lt. Ahmed Yerima,” the statement read. “The command wishes to state that no such incident has been reported or recorded within the Federal Capital Territory.”
SP Adeh urged the public to disregard the information and “desist from spreading unverified claims capable of causing panic.” She also encouraged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.
The reports of an assassination attempt gained traction due to the highly publicised clash between Lt. Yerima and Minister Wike on November 11. The dispute centered on a plot of land allegedly belonging to a former Chief of Naval Staff.
Viral videos from the incident showed Yerima blocking the minister’s convoy from accessing the site. Wike accused the retired naval chief of illegal development and claimed Yerima assaulted officials from the Federal Capital Development Authority.
The confrontation ignited a public debate and drew a response from the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, who assured that no military personnel on lawful duty would face sanctions.
