The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has officially addressed circulating reports about an alleged assassination attempt on Nigerian Navy Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima, providing clarification about what actually transpired during the controversial incident in Kubwa, Abuja.
What Really Happened During the Kubwa Incident
According to the police account, the situation that unfolded on Sunday, November 16, 2025, was far from the dramatic assassination attempt narrative that had gone viral across social media platforms and news outlets. Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh explained that officers from the FCT command simply conducted a routine stop-and-search operation when they encountered Lieutenant Yerima's vehicle.
The officers approached the vehicle and politely requested identification from the occupant, along with an explanation for the car's fully tinted windows, which contravenes standard security protocols in the Federal Capital Territory. However, instead of cooperating with the security personnel, Lieutenant Yerima reportedly refused to identify himself, made several phone calls, and wound up his tinted windows, effectively declining to engage with the police team.
Naval Colleagues Intervene in Police Operation
The situation took an interesting turn when, a few minutes after the initial encounter, three naval personnel arrived at the location. The naval officers cordially identified their colleague and were observed documenting the encounter by taking video and picture footage before departing from the scene.
Following this confirmation of identity, the police team allowed Lieutenant Yerima's vehicle to proceed without further incident. The patrol team then continued their routine security operations peacefully in the area, according to the official police statement released on Monday, November 17, 2025.
SP Josephine Adeh expressed surprise at waking up to what she described as "maliciously crafted tales" and worst of all, allegations of assassination targeting the naval officer. The police emphasized that their operatives were simply performing their legitimate duties in line with standard operational procedures.
Background Context: The Wike-Yerima Confrontation
This police clarification comes against the backdrop of a recent tense confrontation between Lieutenant Yerima and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. The earlier incident occurred when Yerima, while on duty with other security personnel, engaged in a heated exchange with the FCT minister over a disputed land site in Gaduwa District.
The clash between the naval officer and the minister was captured on video that subsequently went viral, sparking widespread public debate and speculation about potential repercussions. This context likely contributed to the rapid spread and believability of the assassination attempt narrative among the Nigerian public.
The development has also inspired creative expressions of public sentiment, including reports of a young lady who printed the viral Wike-Yerima confrontation on a t-shirt and showcased it on social media, generating significant reactions from Nigerians across various platforms.
As the situation continues to develop, security authorities maintain that the Kubwa incident was a routine security operation that has been misrepresented in public discourse, urging citizens to verify information before sharing potentially misleading narratives.
