Tension briefly rose in Abuja on Sunday when Naval Officer Ahmed Yerima, previously in the news for a confrontation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, was stopped by police for driving a car with a concealed number plate.
Eyewitnesses said officers approached Yerima after noticing the covered plate. When asked to identify himself, he reportedly claimed to be a naval officer but did not present proper identification.
Video footage circulating online shows a heated exchange, with a police officer stating, “Identify yourself, and you cannot. The best thing you could do is to start an insult. Do you now accept that what you did is wrong? You are the one doing wrong things.” Yerima appeared dismissive, replying, “No, I didn’t even see ya. I didn’t see ya.”
The FCT Police Command addressed the incident in a statement on Monday, November 17, issued by their Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh.
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The statement refuted reports by an Instagram blogger, “Mazitundeednut,” which claimed Yerima had been attacked at NNPC Junction in Kubwa, calling the allegations “false and grossly misleading.”
According to the statement, at about 6:15 p.m. on November 16, a routine patrol stopped an ash-colored Toyota Camry with a concealed number plate and fully tinted windows at NNPC Junction along Kubwa Expressway.
Officers requested the occupant’s identification and an explanation for the concealment, but he refused to comply, made several phone calls, and rolled up his windows, avoiding engagement.
Shortly afterward, three naval personnel arrived and confirmed Yerima as their colleague.
They recorded video and photos before leaving. Following this confirmation, the police allowed the vehicle to proceed. The patrol team continued operations without further incident.
The statement condemned the circulation of “maliciously crafted tales,” including false claims of an assassination attempt, and urged residents to cooperate with law enforcement and avoid spreading unverified news that could create fear.
The statement reads: “The attention of FCT Police Command has been drawn to publications by an Instagram blogger, “Mazitundeednut,” alleging an attack on one Lt. Ahmed Yerima at NNPC junction in Kubwa area of the FCT. FCT Police Command wishes to state that these publications are false and grossly misleading.
“On 16th November 2025 at about 06:15 p.m., a Police patrol team, while conducting a routine stop-and-search operation at NNPC Junction along Kubwa Expressway, intercepted an ash-coloured Toyota Camry driven with a concealed number plate and fully tinted windows.
“In line with standard operational procedure, officers approached the vehicle and politely requested for the occupant’s identity, along with an explanation for the concealments. The occupant, however, refused to identify himself, proceeded to make several calls, and wound up his tinted windows, declining to engage with the police team.
“A few minutes later, three naval personnel arrived the location and cordially identified the occupant of the vehicle as their colleague. They were also observed taking video and picture footage of the encounter before leaving. Following this confirmation, the Police team allowed the vehicle to proceed. The patrol team then continued its operations peacefully and without any further incident. It is however surprising to wake up to maliciously crafted tales and worst of all allegations of assassination .
“The Commissioner of Police FCT Command, CP Miller Dantawaye Psc. while calling on FCT residents and visitors to always cooperate with police officers in the discharge of their lawful duty, stresses the need to shun peddling of fake and unverified news capable of creating fear and apprehension in the society.”