Lt. A.M. Yarima, a navy officer who went viral in a video last week having a heated confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly escaped an assassination attempt on Sunday evening.

According to Vanguard, military sources disclosed that the officer was trailed by unidentified men dressed in black and riding in two unmarked Hilux vans with no number plates. The vehicles allegedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way.

The source further said that Yarima noticed the surveillance and executed a “strategic maneuver,” successfully evading the suspected assailants. The incident reportedly occurred around 6:30 p.m.

The source added that the matter is under investigation and is receiving “the seriousness it deserves,” noting that further details are being withheld so as not to compromise the process.

This comes a few days after the officer had a heated face-off with Nysom Wike in Abuja over a disputed piece of land in the Gaduwa district. The incident generated mixed reactions from Nigerians, including social media users.

The clash also generated reactions from retired military officers who lambasted Wike for insulting and disrespecting Yarima.

Spokesman for the Coalition of Retired Veterans, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, warned that ex-service members would “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if the officer faced any punishment.

According to him, military personnel owe allegiance to Nigeria—not individual public officials—and insisted that Wike must apologise for his remarks.