A Nigerian man who attended the same secondary school with the now-famous naval officer, Lieutenant Yerima, has come forward with surprising revelations about their childhood connection following the officer's viral confrontation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Schoolmate Reveals Shared Background
Deribela Okujagu, who identified himself as Lieutenant Yerima's schoolmate, took to social media to share their common background. According to his post, both men were born and raised in Elelenwo Town, where they experienced similar upbringing that shaped their character.
"This fine military officer was born and bred in Elelenwo Town. With the activities and things we saw while growing up in Elelenwo Town, normally he acted like every homegrown Elelenwo man who saw things in her street," Okujagu stated in his social media post.
Father Rented One-Room Apartment to Yerima
In one of the most surprising revelations, Okujagu disclosed that Lieutenant Yerima once lived in a one-room apartment that belonged to his late father. This personal connection gives unique insight into the officer's humble beginnings before his military career.
Regarding the educational background, Okujagu mentioned that when he was in JSS1 at V.C.C. (likely meaning Victory College of Commerce or similar institution), Lieutenant Yerima was in JSS2 at the same secondary school, indicating they overlapped during their formative years.
Perspective on Wike Confrontation
Okujagu offered his perspective on the now-viral incident between Lieutenant Yerima and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. He firmly believes the officer was simply following military protocol during the confrontation.
"I believe whatever altercation he had with the F.C.T Minister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike - CON, GSSRS, was based on directives from his superior officer. You should understand that the military are always trained to respect and follow the law and command, no matter who is involved," he explained.
The schoolmate also expressed hope that the matter would be resolved amicably, while cautiously noting that he hoped "the landowners' documents are actually in order." He added wisdom about human nature, stating that "as men, we can't please everyone, same with the F.C.T Minister."
Social Media Reactions
The post attracted significant attention from social media users, with mixed reactions in the comments section. Some commenters like Chinda Benjamin defended the officer's actions, while others like Harbidex Akintoye emphasized the importance of respect in such situations.
Notably, some comments attempted to introduce religious angles to the incident, which other users like Kunta quickly dismissed, stating "Una be the problem of this country. Wetin bring religion into this now? Smh."
The viral incident continues to generate discussion across Nigeria, with many praising Lieutenant Yerima's professional conduct during the confrontation with the powerful minister.
