Nigeria, Nov. 13 -- Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President has denied viral reports of him gifting Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, the naval officer involved in a recent altercation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a brand-new Toyota SUV.

According to a statement issued via X handle on Thursday by Atiku's Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, the report, circulating widely on social media is false and without any factual basis.

Ibe, therefore, urged the public to disregard the fabricated story.

"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. ...