…the report alleged that Atiku rewarded the naval officer following his reported confrontation with Minister Wike.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has debunked viral reports alleging that he gifted 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 Abuja.
Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, in a statement released via the former Vice President’s X handle on Thursday, described the story as “completely false and without any factual basis,” urging the public to dismiss it as fake news.
“His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007), did not gift Lt. Ahmed Yerima or any other individual a brand new Toyota SUV, contrary to the false reports currently circulating on social media. The story is entirely fabricated and should be completely disregarded by the public,” Ibe said.
The viral claim, which began circulating on Facebook on Wednesday, alleged that Atiku rewarded the naval officer following his reported confrontation with Minister Wike over an alleged land-grabbing dispute in Abuja.
The incident occurred on Tuesday during an inspection exercise at a disputed property in the Gaduwa District of the Federal Capital Territory, where Wike confronted the officer, identified as Lt. Yerima.
A video of the encounter, which has since trended widely online, showed a tense exchange between both men as the officer insisted he was safeguarding a naval facility. The altercation sparked widespread public reaction, with calls for restraint and institutional respect coming from several quarters, including former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd).
Atiku’s media team reaffirmed that the former Vice President remains committed to promoting truth and discouraging misinformation in the public space.
“The public is advised to verify information before sharing and not fall for sensational social media fabrications,” Ibe added.
The controversy underscores growing concerns about the spread of misinformation on social platforms, particularly in politically charged contexts.
