Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports alleging that he gifted a brand-new Toyota SUV to Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, the naval officer involved in a recent altercation with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.

In a statement released on Thursday via Atiku’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, described the viral claim as “completely false and without any factual basis.”

“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 clarified.

The false report, which originated from Facebook on Wednesday, alleged that Atiku rewarded the naval officer following his confrontation with Minister Wike over a disputed land in Gaduwa District, Abuja.

The incident, which occurred earlier in the week, involved a heated exchange between Wike and Lt. Yerima, who claimed to be safeguarding naval property during an inspection by the minister.

The confrontation has since gone viral, sparking intense public debate and prompting reactions from several notable Nigerians, including former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), who called for mutual respect between political leaders and security agencies.

Atiku’s camp, however, has made it clear that the viral story linking him to the naval officer is false and politically motivated.