Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports alleging that he gifted a brand-new Toyota SUV to Lt. Ahmed Yerima, the soldier who recently clashed with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in a viral video.
The story, which spread widely on social media, claimed that Atiku rewarded the officer for his “boldness.” However, the former Vice President has now described the report as “pure fabrication” and urged Nigerians to ignore it completely.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said:
“For the avoidance of doubt, 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.”
He also warned against the spread of misinformation designed to mislead the public or damage reputations, calling on Nigerians to verify claims before sharing them.
The false story had gained traction amid growing public attention following the recent altercation between Wike and Lt. Yerima over access to a disputed property allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff.
Atiku’s camp reaffirmed that the former Vice President had no involvement whatsoever in the incident or the viral narrative surrounding it.
