The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has debunked reports claiming that Nigerian Navy officer Lt. Ahmed Yerima survived an assassination attempt in Abuja, describing the allegations as false, misleading, and not backed by any official report.

The rebuttal follows widespread online claims that Yerima was trailed on Sunday evening by unidentified men dressed in black and travelling in two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates. According to the reports, the chase allegedly began around 6:30 p.m. at the NIPCO filling station along the Kubwa Expressway and continued up to Gado Nasco Way, before the officer reportedly escaped through a “strategic manoeuvre.”

Speculation quickly mounted, with many linking the alleged attempted attack to Yerima’s recent confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over a disputed land allocation in Gaduwa District.

But in a statement issued Sunday night, the FCT Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, dismissed the assassination claims as entirely unfounded.

“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 statement read.

“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.”

Adeh urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activity to the nearest police division.

Yerima made headlines on November 11 after a heated confrontation with Minister Wike at a disputed construction site said to belong to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd.).

Viral videos showed the naval officer, who was on security duty, blocking the minister’s convoy from accessing the property. Wike accused Gambo of illegal development and faulted Yerima for allegedly obstructing Federal Capital Development Authority officials deployed to halt the work. During the exchange, the minister was seen berating the officer and questioning his authority.

The incident triggered widespread public debate. While some argued that Yerima acted outside his mandate, many military veterans defended him and demanded an apology from the minister.

Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Mohammed Abubakar has assured that no military personnel acting within the law will be punished. “We will always protect officers on lawful duty,” he said during a briefing for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.