He Is Doing His Job Greatly – Defence Minister Praises Lt Yerima, Says ‘Nothing Will Happen To Him’

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru has commended Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, the naval officer who stopped Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nyesom Wike from ingressing into a property belonging to his principal.

Lt Yerima, a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, is reportedly the Principal Staff Officer to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, retired.

He was on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 embroiled in an altercation with the FCT Minister, Wike, who had gone with staff of the FCT Administration to enforce a demolition order at the said property located Plot 1946, Gaduwa District, Abuja.

But despite Wike flying into a rage and using foul language on him when he declined granting him access to the property, Lt Yerima in videos that have gone viral exhibited exceptional candour, decorum and restraint.   

Reacting to the incident, the Defence Minister said his office is looking into the issue, nevertheless assuring that where the officer is found doing his lawful duty he will be protected.  

“Well, at the Ministry, and indeed the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers on lawful duty.”

“So, we are looking into this issue, and we assure that any officer on lawful duty will be protected highly.”

“So, we will not allow anything to happen to him so far he is doing his job, and he is doing his job greatly well.”

It I expected that the Defence Headquarters will summon the naval officer to explain his conduct during the incident and have his testimony reviewed by senior officer to determine if he acted in line with the code of military conduct and rules of engagement.