The Federal Capital Territory Police Command late on Sunday night denied reports that a Nigerian Navy officer, Lt. Ahmed Yerima, survived an assassination attempt in Abuja, describing the claims as false and unverified.
The FCT police denial comes after news outlets and social media posts circulated that Yerima was trailed by unidentified men dressed in black, travelling in two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates in Abuja.
According to the reports, the pursuit began around 6:30 p.m. at the NIPCO filling station along the Kubwa Expressway and continued to Gado Nasco Way.
Yerima reportedly evaded the assailants through a “strategic manoeuvre” during a high-speed chase.
The reports elicited speculation linking the alleged incident to the officer’s recent confrontation with FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over a disputed land allocation in Abuja.
But in statement issued late on Sunday night by Federal Capital Territory Police Command Public relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, described the claim as entirely false, noting that no such incident was reported or recorded anywhere within the FCT.
“The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to publications circulating on social media alleging an attempted assassination on Lt. Ahmed Yerima.
“The command wishes to categorically state that no such incident has been reported or recorded anywhere within the Federal Capital Territory.
“The public is advised to disregard this false information and desist from spreading unverified claims capable of causing unnecessary panic,” the statement read.
The PPRO urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police division.
Recalled that Yerima clashed with Wike on November 11 over a disputed plot in Gaduwa District, said to belong to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd).
Viral videos showed Yerima, while on security detail, blocking Wike’s team from accessing the site.
The minister accused the retired military chief of carrying out illegal development on the land and confronted Yerima for allegedly assaulting personnel of the Federal Capital Development Authority, who had gone to halt the ongoing construction.
The minister was heard berating the officer, calling him a “fool” and questioning his authority.
