Lieutenant A. M. Yerima name came to the limelight following a widely publicised confrontation with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike over land dispute at Gaduwa District, in Abuja.
Yerima and his team had been deployed to secure a parcel of land reportedly belonging to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Awwal Zubairu Gambo.
When Wike arrived with officials and security personnel to enforce a demolition order, the young naval officer stood firm, refusing access to the property and calmly explaining that he was acting on orders from a superior officer.
Below are things to know about A. M. Yerima:
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Birth
A Nigerian naval officer, A.M. Yerima was born and raised in Kaduna State, Northwestern Nigeria, Yerima grew up in a city with a strong military tradition.
Education
He began his higher education journey at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where he was admitted in 2011 into the Faculty of Social Sciences. He studied Mass Communication and was known among his classmates by the nickname “MD”.
His peers recall him as tall, lanky, and confident, with strong social skills and a deep sense of responsibility.
From ABU Yerima transitioned to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), also in Kaduna. At the NDA, he underwent rigorous military and academic training designed to instill the values of leadership, honour, and loyalty.
Upon successful completion of his training, Yerima was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Nigerian Navy, marking the official start of his military service.
Yerima distinguished himself through professionalism, dedication, and calm under pressure.
Service
He serves in the Nigerian Special Boat Service (SBS), an elite unit responsible for specialized maritime operations including counterterrorism, reconnaissance, and high-risk rescue missions.
Over the years, Yerima has participated in several national and international military assignments.
In 2018, he took part in Exercise Flintlock, a multinational special operations exercise held in Agadez, Niger, which brought together African and Western forces for joint training in counterterrorism and crisis response.
Yerima’s career has also seen him serve aboard naval vessels such as the NNS Kada, where colleagues described him as “a fine gentleman” whose discipline and humility reflect the dignity of the Nigerian armed forces.
Throughout his service, he has earned a reputation for integrity, respect, and commitment to the chain of command.
