Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has firmly denied viral reports claiming he gifted a brand-new Toyota SUV to Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, the naval officer who was recently involved in a heated confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over a piece of land in Abuja.
In a statement released on Thursday through his verified X (Twitter) handle, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, described the reports as false, misleading, and completely fabricated.
“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 stated.
The rumor, which began circulating on Facebook on Wednesday, alleged that Atiku had rewarded the naval officer for “standing up to Wike” during the land dispute in the Gaduwa District of Abuja.
The confrontation, which was captured on video and went viral online, showed Minister Wike engaging in a tense exchange with Lieutenant Yerima and other naval personnel guarding a controversial property reportedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd.).
Wike, visibly angry in the footage, accused the retired naval chief of illegally occupying government land, a situation that quickly escalated into a public argument about authority and respect between civil and military institutions.
The incident drew nationwide attention, sparking debates over land ownership rights, abuse of power, and the boundaries of ministerial authority.
With Atiku’s official statement, the former Vice President seeks to set the record straight, urging Nigerians to verify information before sharing, as fake news continues to spread misinformation and stir unnecessary controversy in the public space.