A Nigerian man, who closely observed the widely circulated video of naval officer Lieutenant Yerima’s recent confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has shared a detailed account of what he noticed during the tense encounter, sparking further discussions on the officer’s conduct and professionalism.
The confrontation, which unfolded during a property enforcement operation in Abuja, captured Lieutenant Yerima firmly preventing Minister Wike and his team from entering the site, and the video quickly went viral, drawing praise and debate across social media platforms for the officer’s composure and strategic demeanor.
Lieutenant Yerima’s Steadfast Composure
In the viral footage, Lieutenant Yerima is seen standing his ground calmly and confidently as Minister Wike approaches, demonstrating remarkable discipline under pressure. The officer’s demeanor, characterized by his controlled posture and deliberate movements, drew commendations from viewers who applauded his professionalism and ability to remain calm in a high-tension scenario.
Social Media Analysis of Officer’s Body Language
One Facebook user, Honour Oriretan, provided an extensive breakdown of the officer’s actions and body language during the encounter, emphasizing the subtle yet strategic positioning of Lieutenant Yerima’s left hand, which remained inside his pocket throughout most of the interaction.
While many initially assumed the hand-in-pocket gesture was casual, Oriretan argued that it served a tactical purpose, allowing the officer to stay alert and maintain a ready defensive posture while assessing the environment and the behavior of all individuals present, including Minister Wike.
Possible Tactical Purpose Behind Hand Placement
According to Oriretan, Lieutenant Yerima’s hand placement may have concealed an object resembling a pistol, enabling him to remain prepared for any sudden escalation. The officer’s subtle stance allowed him to monitor the crowd’s dynamics and the intentions of the FCT Minister without displaying overt aggression, reflecting advanced situational awareness and strategic thinking typical of highly trained military personnel.
Professional Conduct During Communication
During the encounter, Lieutenant Yerima received a phone call, and Oriretan observed a precise and respectful response from the officer. The naval officer stepped aside, removed his hand from the pocket, and stood at attention while maintaining discretion, signaling respect for the senior officer on the call. Simultaneously, he subtly used his uniform to conceal the pocket, avoiding unnecessary panic or alarm among bystanders and media personnel.
Calculated, Skilled, and Disciplined Officer
Oriretan described Lieutenant Yerima as a “calculated, highly trained, and disciplined officer” who can adapt his behavior depending on the environment — gentle and controlled in safe settings, yet bold and decisive in potentially dangerous situations. He emphasized that the hand in the pocket was not a casual gesture for style but a deliberate defensive tactic reflecting readiness and situational mastery.
Oriretan elaborated:
“Pay attention to this Officer Yerima’s left pocket, and this is why his left hand was constantly inside that left pocket. It’s unwise how people think this Officer Yerima putting hand in his left pocket is just for steeze, fashion, not knowing it’s far beyond that. On looking closely, I see that there’s something inside that left pocket that looks like a pistol, and his hand always inside that left pocket is to stay alert with his head constantly up to read eyes, minds, moods, body languages of people there, including Wike himself and the entire atmosphere (trust nobody as everybody is a suspect), which is wise, not unwise.
“Now, during the call, he stepped aside, removed that hand from that left pocket to stand at attention as a sign of respect to the senior ranking officer he was speaking with, which is normally wise, not unwise. But while removing that hand from that left pocket, he immediately used his khaki to cover that left pocket for people not to see the suspected thing that pushed out from inside, so there won’t be unnecessary panic, fear, tension in the heart of civilians, media, and others around. He is seen both on camera and with eyes as unarmed publicly right. But he’s most armed, most alert, smartest, and most dangerous compared to the armed men you see flaunting different cheap guns there.
“He’s very calculative, well-trained, gentle in a safe environment, but brutal in hostile, dangerous environment, bold, fierce, educated, and knows everything about his profession. This Officer Yerima is very calculative, smart, educated, gentle in a calm environment, and highly brutal in hostile, dangerous environment. That hand always in his left pocket is not for flex, fashion, but a dangerous defense technique. Y’all be wise, don’t be unwise.”
This detailed observation has reignited public conversations about Lieutenant Yerima’s professionalism, tactical awareness, and the fine balance military officers must maintain when handling high-pressure civilian interactions, highlighting the complexities of leadership, respect, and operational discipline in sensitive situations.
