A leaked audio recording between the Chief of Defence Staff and Lieutenant Yerima, the officer linked to a tense encounter with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has surfaced online. The conversation offers insight into what transpired between security agents and construction workers at a site in Abuja.
What Lt. Yerima Said in the Conversation
In the phone call, Lt. Yerima, who serves under the Vice Admiral, described the situation directly to the Defence Chief. He explained that his team mobilized workers to a site when policemen began issuing threats.
“Morning sir, I am fine, thank you. I am an officer to the Vice Admiral. We mobilized a few people to the site to work. The engineer kept telling us that policemen were coming to embarrass and harass them,” Yerima said.
He added that the policemen allegedly threatened to “strike and arrest” the workers if they did not leave. According to him, he stepped in to protect them as an officer carrying out a lawful assignment.
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“Sir, we are not doing anything illegal. We are here under the Vice Admiral’s orders,” he emphasized.
Clarifying Defence Orders
Lt. Yerima maintained that his mission was lawful and fully authorized. He explained that the Vice Admiral instructed him to ensure smooth work operations at the site. The military, he said, aimed to prevent harassment and guarantee that legitimate orders were followed.
He added that his team’s role was protective, not confrontational. Their goal was to safeguard the workers and maintain calm until the task was completed.
Rising Tension Between Police and Military Teams
The phone exchange revealed growing tension between the police and military at the scene. Yerima claimed that policemen tried to intimidate civilians and disrupt the ongoing project. His remarks suggested that soldiers were determined to uphold Defence Headquarters’ directives while avoiding escalation.
Eyewitnesses at the site also reported heated arguments between the two security groups before senior officers intervened to de-escalate the situation.
Public Reactions and Ongoing Silence from Authorities
The leaked conversation has sparked debate online about inter-agency conflict and command boundaries. Many Nigerians have urged both institutions to clarify their responsibilities and avoid further confrontations.
So far, neither the Defence Headquarters nor the Nigerian Police Force has released an official statement addressing the incident.
Credit: Allschool, Allcbt
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