Fact-Check: Is Lt. A.M. Yerima Related to Brig.-Gen. Yerima, and Was His Encounter with Minister Wike Unauthorized?
Claim:
Social media posts and several online reports allege that the naval officer who recently confronted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is the son of retired Army spokespersonthe son of retired Army spokesperson, Brigadier-General Mohammed M. Yerima (rtd). It is also claimed that the officer was on an “illegal” assignmentillegal” assignment when the altercation occurred.
Background
A widely circulated video captured a heated altercationcirculated video captured a heated altercation in the Gaduwa District of Abuja between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a uniformed naval officer. The officer involved was identified in multiple media reports as Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, also in some documents referred to as YARIMA of the Nigerian Navy.
The incident quickly went viral, sparking speculations on social media linking the naval officer to the former Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed M. Yerima (rtd). Additional claims questioned the legality of the officer’s presence at the scene, with some alleging he was on an “unauthorized or illegal duty.”
PRNigeria undertook a comprehensive fact-check to verify these claims.
Verification Process
The verification focused on two key claims:
Whether Lt. A.M. Yerima is related to Brig.-Gen. Mohammed M. Yerima.
Whether Lt. A.M. Yarima was on an illegal assignment during his encounter with Wike.
Claim 1: Family Relationship with Brig.-Gen. Yerima
PRNigeria’s investigation, based on official service records, credible sources, and biographical information, found no evidence linking Lt. A.M. Yerima as the son of Brig.-Gen. Mohammed M. Yerima (rtd).
State of Origin: Both individuals are from Yobe State, but Brig.-Gen. Yerima hails from Bade Local Government Area, while Lt. Yarima is from Fune Local Government Area.
Family Background:
Lt. Yarima’s father, Alhaji Abdullahi Adam Yarima, and mother, Hajiya Hajara Yarima, were civilians and are both deceased.
Brig.-Gen. Yerima, on the other hand, is alive and currently engaged in agriculture and private business ventures.
Upbringing: Lt. A.M. Yerima was born on February 8, 1993, and raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where Minister Wike previously served as Governor from 2015 to 2023.
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Education and Military Career: He attended several schools in Port Harcourt, including Sovina Model Schools, Evangel Academy, Treasure Memorial Schools, and Victory Comprehensive College. He later gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 64 Regular Course, and was commissioned on September 22, 2017.
His career progression:
Midshipman – September 2016
Sub-Lieutenant – September 2017
Lieutenant – September 2022
Conclusion on Claim 1:
The widely shared claim that Lt. Yarima is the son of Brig.-Gen. Yerima is false and appears to be based solely on a similarity in surname.
Claim 2: Was Lt. Yarima on “Illegal Duty”?
PRNigeria’s verification shows that Lt. Adam Muhammad Yarima was serving as a security officer attached to Vice-Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, the immediate past Chief of Naval Staff, who served from January 29, 2021, to June 23, 2023.
Retired service chiefs in Nigeria are entitled to retain security aides and orderlies, along with other official support as part of their post-retirement benefits. These provisions are covered under:
- The Military Pensions Act
- Defence Headquarters regulations
- Presidential or ministerial approvals
Such assignments are not “personal favours” but are formal, regulated responsibilities. Officers assigned to retired military leaders operate under authorized orders and maintain links to their service branch command, particularly for supervision and discipline.
Clarification from Military Sources:
A senior military official familiar with deployment protocols told PRNigeria under condition of anonymity:
“Once an officer is officially assigned to a principal—whether serving or retired—that becomes an authorized deployment. Any instructions received within that assigned capacity are binding and lawful. Protecting the principal’s interests is part of the officer’s duty. That’s why statements from Defence and security leaders have affirmed that the officer was acting within his official mandate.”
Therefore, Lt. Yarima’s presence at the scene—while in service to a retired naval chief—does not constitute an illegal deployment.
Conclusion
Relationship Claim:
The claim that Lt. A.M. Yarima is the son of Brig.-Gen. Mohammed M. Yerima is false. There is no familial relationship, and both men hail from different local government areas and family backgrounds.
Illegal Duty Claim:
The assertion that Lt. Yarima was on an “illegal” or unauthorized assignment is misleading.
His deployment as a security officer to a retired service chief is legitimate and within military regulations.
Final Verdict:
Claim 1: FALSE
Claim 2: MISLEADING
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By PRNigeria
