A Nigerian woman who attended secondary school with the naval officer who challenged Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has broken her silence about the viral incident that has captured national attention.
Schoolmate Reveals Officer's Character
Ekom Usen, who identified herself as a former schoolmate of the now-famous naval officer Yerima, took to Facebook to share her perspective on the man behind the viral confrontation. In her post, she revealed that she had known the officer since their secondary school days, where he was her senior.
She wrote in her viral Facebook post: "Dis soldier nah my senior for secondary school ooo nice one", expressing support for her former schoolmate's actions during the now-famous encounter with the FCT minister.
The Viral Confrontation That Sparked National Debate
The incident occurred when the naval officer was stationed at a property in Abuja with instructions from his superior to guard the location. During one of Minister Wike's inspection tours, the minister attempted to access the property but was prevented from doing so by the officer who was following his orders.
The situation escalated when Minister Wike expressed his displeasure at being denied access, leading to an immediate response from the naval officer that demonstrated both professionalism and courage. The entire exchange was captured on video and quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing reactions from Nigerians nationwide.
The video, published on November 12, 2025, shows the naval officer standing his ground while maintaining military decorum, a response that has been widely praised by many Nigerians who see it as an example of integrity in public service.
Growing Support for the Naval Officer
Since the video went viral, support for the naval officer has continued to grow across Nigeria. The officer's sister also made headlines when she expressed pride in her brother's actions, even promising to do his laundry for a month as a reward for his bravery.
In a similar show of support, the officer's best friend from university shared old photos of them together and praised his friend for standing firm during the confrontation with the minister. These personal accounts have provided deeper insight into the character of the naval officer who has become an unexpected symbol of principle and courage.
The story continues to generate significant discussion on various media platforms as Nigerians debate the broader implications of the incident for governance, military-civilian relations, and the importance of following due process regardless of one's position or authority.
