A Nigerian man has sparked controversy by suggesting that the now-viral video showing the encounter between Lieutenant A.M. Yerima and police officers in Abuja might have been a carefully orchestrated setup. The claim comes as more Nigerians continue to react to the footage that has been circulating widely on social media platforms.
The Controversial Video Details
The video, which was published on November 17, 2025, captures the moment when naval officer Lieutenant A.M. Yerima was stopped by police officers in the Federal Capital Territory. The footage shows police officers requesting that the naval officer identify himself, to which he responded by flashing his ID card. Despite the tension evident between both parties, the military officer complied with the request to show his identification.
What has raised eyebrows among observers is the timing and nature of the video recording itself. The footage begins precisely at the moment the altercation starts, suggesting to some viewers that the recording might have been planned rather than spontaneous.
Suspicious Circumstances Revealed
Expressing his doubts through social media platform X (formerly Twitter), user @AFCdeAndre highlighted several concerning aspects about the video. The man questioned why police officers on duty would be recording the interaction, noting that this behavior appears unusual for Nigerian law enforcement personnel.
His exact words captured the skepticism many are feeling: "Funny thing here is, since when has Nigeria Police officers on duty start recording people? Why was the video recording starts at the altercation time? In the video amid the tension between both parties, the said offender still show his ID I think this is a setup."
The timing of the recording and the professional manner in which it was captured have led to speculation about possible ulterior motives behind the incident.
Mixed Public Reactions
Other social media users have joined the conversation with varying perspectives. User @dizneyx humorously questioned the equipment used for recording, asking: "Federal government buy bodycam for our police because I don't understand the phone that was used to record this video. Tecno torchlight?"
Another comment from @_SammyNas noted the unusual nature of police recording civilians, especially those who typically resist being filmed: "E reach this guy turn police start to Dey record people wey no Dey like make you use camera near dem on a normal lol, we all know what we are doing."
However, not all reactions supported the setup theory. User @Lion_Heart_OT defended the police actions, stating: "The police were only doing their duties even though it seems personal. It's wrong for someone to claim he covered his number plate because he's an officer and couldn't provide an ID."
The incident has also drawn connections to the earlier confrontation between Lieutenant Yerima and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, which was reportedly over a disputed parcel of land. Some commentators suggest that the military officer's confidence in standing up to authority figures might stem from higher-level backing.
As the debate continues online, many Nigerians are calling for proper investigation into the circumstances surrounding the video and the encounter between the naval officer and police personnel.
