“Atiku Rewards Naval Officer Yerima With Toyota SUV Amid Abuja Land Dispute Drama Nigerians React

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed claims that he gifted Military Officer Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima a brand-new Toyota SUV following a heated exchange with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, during an enforcement visit to a disputed land in Abuja.

Online reports had alleged that Atiku rewarded Yerima for his actions during the confrontation with Wike.

However, in a statement on Thursday, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, clarified that the former vice president did not give a car to Yerima—or to any other individual—and urged the public to disregard the circulating reports.

The statement read, “His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007), did not gift Lt. Ahmed Yerima or any other person a brand-new Toyota SUV, contrary to the false reports trending on social media. The story is entirely fabricated and should be ignored.”

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle has ruled out any disciplinary action against Yerima. Speaking to DCL Hausa, Matawalle said the incident was avoidable and should have been resolved through proper administrative channels instead of escalating into a public confrontation.