Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed claims that he presented a brand-new Toyota SUV to Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, the naval officer involved in a recent confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
In a statement released on Thursday via his X account, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, described the circulating reports as “completely false and without any factual basis,” urging the public to disregard them.
“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 unfounded report first appeared on Facebook on Wednesday, alleging that Atiku had rewarded the naval officer following a reported dispute with Wike over an alleged land-grabbing incident in Abuja.
The confrontation occurred on Tuesday when Minister Wike engaged Lt. Yerima during an inspection of a contested plot in the Gaduwa District of the Federal Capital Territory. Video footage of the encounter, widely circulated online, showed a tense exchange, with the officer asserting that he was safeguarding naval property.
The incident has sparked widespread reactions across social media and among public figures, including former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), with many calling for restraint and respect for institutional authority.
