Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed as false reports circulating on social media that he presented a brand-new Toyota SUV to Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, the naval officer who recently clashed with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
In a statement released through his X handle on Thursday, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, described the report as “entirely fabricated” and urged Nigerians to ignore it.
“His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007), did not gift Lt. Ahmed Yerima — or any other person — a Toyota SUV, contrary to the misleading claims making the rounds online,” Ibe said. “The story has no factual basis and should be completely disregarded.”
The viral post, which surfaced on Facebook on Wednesday, alleged that Atiku rewarded the naval officer following his face-off with Wike over a controversial piece of land in Abuja.
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The confrontation reportedly took place on Tuesday at a disputed site in Gaduwa District, where Wike confronted Lt. Yerima during an inspection. A video of the encounter, widely shared online, showed a tense verbal exchange between the minister and the officer, who insisted he was safeguarding naval property.
The incident has since sparked mixed reactions across the country, with several notable figures — including former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd) — calling for calm and mutual respect between government institutions.