Naval Officer Yerima, Known for Confronting FCT Minister Wike, Allegedly Bypasses Airport Screening With Pistol, Slams ValueJet for “Disrespect” After Interception

Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa

Naval Officer Yerima, Known for Confronting FCT Minister Wike, Allegedly Bypasses Airport Screening With Pistol, Slams ValueJet for “Disrespect” After Interception

In Abuja, Nigeria, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, a young naval officer who became a national figure after a heated confrontation with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, has been thrust into fresh controversy amid unverified claims he bypassed airport screening while in possession of a pistol and later criticised airline staff following an interception.

The controversy stems from a series of developments that have gripped public attention in recent weeks, including unresolved questions over military conduct, civil authority, aviation security, and media narratives. Government agencies, aviation authorities, civil society groups, and military veterans are now embroiled in debates over professional conduct, rule of law, and institutional accountability.

The naval officer first came to prominence in November 2025 during a widely circulated video showing him confronting FCT Minister Wike at a contested land site in Gaduwa District, Abuja. The footage captured a tense verbal exchange as Wike attempted to enforce a demolition order and remove naval personnel believed to be guarding the disputed property. Lieutenant Yerima, asserting he was acting on orders, refused Wike access to the site, even as the minister demanded legal documentation and asserted his authority in the federal capital territory. The confrontation escalated to the point where Wike publicly berated the officer, using language that drew criticism from sections of the public and military veterans alike. The Defence Minister later assured that any officer acting lawfully would be protected, signalling institutional backing for Yerima’s professional actions during that controversy. 

The more recent allegations centre on reports that Yerima circumvented standard security screening at an international airport while carrying a firearm. These claims have proliferated on social media, but as of the latest authoritative updates from Nigeria’s aviation security and police sources, there is no verified official record confirming that Yerima entered an airport with a pistol or bypassed mandatory screening procedures. Aviation and security agencies have not issued statements substantiating the allegation, and it remains uncorroborated by credible news outlets at this time.

In a parallel aviation incident that captured national attention last August, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) took disciplinary action against two pilots from ValueJet Airlines following a safety breach at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The pilots were suspended after reportedly initiating aircraft departure procedures without obtaining mandatory pre-departure clearance, in violation of civil aviation safety protocols designed to protect ground personnel, passengers, and crew. ValueJet acknowledged the seriousness of the event and stated that it was cooperating with the NCAA’s investigation, emphasising that safety is its top priority.

Those aviation events involved a separate high-profile dispute with Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, who was denied boarding on a ValueJet flight due to security concerns over a flask he carried. A legal expert later analysed the episode as a potential breach of screening regulations, noting that aviation law requires all passengers and luggage to undergo security checks, and emphasised that any refusal to comply constitutes an offence. While K1 publicly apologised for his role, clarifying that he believed the flask contained water, the incident prompted regulatory action and reinforced the importance of strict security procedures.

Claims that Lt. Yerima personally attacked or insulted ValueJet staff in the context of these aviation incidents have not been verified. Some social media narratives suggest that Yerima expressed disdain for the airline’s handling of a situation, including alleged “disrespect” after an interception or screening process, but these accounts do not appear in verified reporting or official statements from the airline, the NCAA, or relevant aviation authorities.

The FCT Police Command has also addressed a separate but related social media narrative alleging an assassination attempt on Lieutenant Yerima in Abuja, describing such claims as false and misleading. According to the police, a routine stop-and-search operation involving a vehicle with concealed number plates was misrepresented online, and no documented attempt on Yerima’s life occurred. 

The unfolding of these events has reignited broader public discussions about civil-military relations in Nigeria. Analysts and legal experts have debated the constitutional limits of military obedience, the role of civilian authority in governance, and the obligations of security agencies to respect lawful duties while upholding professional standards. Some commentators argue that the original stare-down between a naval officer and a senior government official highlighted enduring tensions in democratic oversight of military personnel. Others have emphasised that security forces must remain neutral and compliant with legal processes, rather than engaging in actions perceived as protecting private interests or undermining institutional checks and balances. 

Civil society organisations and military veterans groups have also weighed in, with some condemning perceived disrespect towards military personnel by public officials, while others have called for inquiries into both the land dispute and the conduct of all parties involved. Calls for transparency, legal clarity, and reaffirmation of respect for established procedures have been prominent in public discourse.

In the aviation realm, the NCAA’s decisive suspension of pilots and ongoing investigations into safety breaches at major airports signal a regulatory environment seeking to enforce international standards and national laws. Aviation security professionals have reiterated that systematic compliance with screening protocols—no matter the profile of the passenger or crew—is essential for the integrity and safety of civil aviation operations.

As it stands, the narrative involving Lt. Yerima’s alleged bypassing of security with a weapon and subsequent rebuke of ValueJet staff remains a subject of unverified online speculation rather than substantiated fact. Government agencies and aviation authorities have not confirmed these specific allegations, and reporters covering these developments have relied on official statements, aviation safety records, and verified interviews.

Observers note that in both cases—the military confrontation over disputed land and the airport safety breach—issues of authority, professional conduct, and institutional responsibility are at the forefront of national conversation. How these debates influence policy, civil-military relations, and aviation governance in Nigeria will continue to unfold in the weeks ahead.

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