Fresh details have emerged over the encounter between policemen and a naval officer, Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, along the Kubwa Expressway in Abuja, an incident that has since triggered conflicting reports and claims of an assassination attempt.
Sources familiar with the encounter told The Trumpet that policemen had stopped a tinted vehicle with its number plate covered, ordering the driver to wind down his window and identify himself.
Sources said the driver was later discovered to be Lt. Yerima, who allegedly refused to comply and instead exchanged harsh words with the police officers.
The policemen reportedly held him briefly, during which the naval officer was said to have made several phone calls.
Minutes later, soldiers arrived at the scene, after which the police released Yerima to the military personnel.
One of the sources claimed the police officers at the checkpoint did not recorgnise Yerima.
“The police didn’t even know he was Yerima. The officer who confronted him was rude, and Yerima also refused to identify himself,” the source said.
The incident occurred amid heightened public attention on Yerima following his recent confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at a disputed land site in the Gaduwa District.
A report published online had quoted unnamed military sources as saying Yerima was trailed by unidentified men in black, riding two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates.
The men reportedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station, off the Kubwa Expressway to Gado Nasco Way around 6:30 pm, before he allegedly “executed a strategic manoeuvre” to escape.
The report also linked the development to the lingering controversy arising from Yerima’s confrontation with the FCT minister, which sparked public outrage and condemnation from military veterans.
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However, the FCT Police Command dismissed the viral claim in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, on Monday.
The FCT Police Command said it had no record of any attack involving the naval officer.
“The command wishes to categorically state that no such incident has been reported or recorded anywhere within the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement read.
The police urged residents to disregard the allegation, warning against the circulation of unverified information capable of causing panic.
The Gaduwa incident, captured on camera, showed Wike and Yerima exchanging words over a disputed demolition exercise.
The video triggered nationwide reactions, with military veterans accusing the minister of disrespecting the uniformed officer.
The Presidency later intervened, suspending the demolition. Military associations across the country also warned against sanctioning Yerima, insisting he acted within the scope of his duty.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has since assured that no military personnel will be punished for performing lawful duties.
“Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully,” he said.
