Meet Lt Yerima: The Navy Officer Who Stood Up To Minister Wike

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Lieutenant Ahmad M. Yerima of the Nigerian Navy has become a household name across the country after a viral confrontation with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.

The incident, which took place on November 11, 2025, in the Gaduwa District, started as a routine enforcement of a stop-work order but quickly escalated into a heated exchange that captured national attention.

Calm in the Face of Power

The face-off happened at Plot 1946 in Gaduwa, a property reportedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd). Minister Wike arrived at the site with a team of FCT officials to enforce a stop-work directive, claiming that the construction was illegal.

Naval personnel led by Lt Yerima were stationed at the property to secure it. When the minister attempted to enter and accused the officers of defying the government, the confrontation became tense.

During the exchange, Wike allegedly called Yerima a “fool.” Remaining unshaken, the officer replied firmly: “I am not a fool, sir. I am acting on orders from above.” Despite repeated attempts by the minister to silence him, Yerima stood his ground, adding, “You cannot shut me up.”

The altercation ended only after Wike contacted the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff. However, the entire scene had already been captured on video and shared widely across social media.

From Officer to National Hero

Within hours, the video spread rapidly on X (formerly Twitter), drawing millions of views and sparking nationwide discussions. Nigerians praised Lt Yerima’s calmness, discipline, and refusal to be intimidated.

Popular social commentator VeryDarkMan (VDM) described him as “a brave young soldier born with honour” and offered $1,000 in recognition of his courage. Similarly, Professor Farooq Kperogi lauded Yerima’s “infinite maturity,” contrasting it with what he called Wike’s “arrogance.”

Many military veterans and civic leaders have also spoken out, condemning the minister’s behaviour as disrespectful to the uniform. Some have called on President Bola Tinubu to honour or promote Yerima, while others warned against any form of retaliation against him. One viral post read: “Power bows to character every time.”

A Product of Discipline and Training

Lt Yerima hails from Kaduna State and began his academic journey at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in 2011 before proceeding to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), where he was commissioned into the Navy upon graduation.

He currently serves as a junior officer with the rank of Lieutenant—equivalent to an Army Captain—and has served aboard the NNS Kada, a Thunder-class patrol vessel used for maritime security and anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Guinea.

Colleagues describe him as intelligent, professional, and deeply dedicated to his duty—traits that clearly came through during the confrontation with Minister Wike.

Symbol of Integrity and Courage

For many Nigerians, Lt Yerima’s defiance represents something greater than a single confrontation—it symbolizes integrity, discipline, and the courage to uphold duty even in the face of political power.

In Kanuri, “Yerima” means “prince,” a fitting name for an officer who demonstrated royal composure and dignity under pressure.

While concerns linger about possible repercussions, public sentiment remains overwhelmingly in his favour. Across the nation, Lt Ahmad M. Yerima is being celebrated as a model of professionalism and a reminder that true power lies in character, not position.

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