By Uzair Adam
A Nigerian Navy officer on Sunday evening narrowly escaped what appeared to be an assassination attempt in Abuja after he was reportedly trailed by unidentified men dressed in black and riding in two unmarked Hilux vans.
Military sources said the incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. when the officer, who recently had a confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory over a disputed land site in Gaduwa, noticed the vehicles following him from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way.
He was said to have carried out a tactical maneuver that enabled him to evade the suspected assailants.
According to the source, the matter is being investigated with the “seriousness it deserves,” while further information is being withheld to avoid jeopardising the process.
The development follows a tense encounter earlier in the week involving Lt. A.M. Yerima and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike during a demolition exercise in Gaduwa District.
The clash, which was captured on video, triggered nationwide reactions and compelled the Presidency to halt the operation.
After the incident, military veterans condemned the minister’s verbal attack on the officer and rejected calls for disciplinary action against him.
Spokesman of the Coalition of Retired Veterans, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, warned that ex-service members would occupy the minister’s office and residence if the officer was punished, stressing that military personnel owe allegiance to the nation and not to individual public officials.
He insisted that Wike must apologise for his remarks.
Minister of Defence Mohammad Badaru Abubakar has since reassured service members that no officer acting within the law will face sanctions over the confrontation, noting that the government remains committed to protecting personnel performing their duties responsibly.
Veterans had earlier vowed to mobilise and occupy the FCT Ministry should any action be taken against Lt. Yarima.