The Nigeria Police Force has declared a British national, Andrew Wynne, wanted for allegedly attempting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration through the sponsorship of the #EndBadgovernance protests, which took place across the country from August 1st to 10th, 2024.
In a statement issued on Monday, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyuwa Adejobi, confirmed the ongoing investigation, revealing that Andrew Wynne and his Nigerian associate, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, have both fled the country and are now subjects of a global manhunt.
“Since the commencement of investigations, Andrew Wynne has fled the country.
He and one of his local coordinators, one Lucky Ehis Obiyan, have accordingly been declared wanted, and global hunting for them has commenced in connection with this investigation,” Adejobi stated.
The police spokesperson explained that the investigation stemmed from extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, which led to the arrest of nine suspects.
These individuals are believed to have received substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilize Nigeria.
“Preliminary findings suggest they orchestrated and funded violent protests, disseminated false information, and engaged in other unlawful activities to create anarchy and justify their illegal plot to overthrow the democratically elected government,” Adejobi added.
The police have identified Andrew Wynne, who is also known by the aliases Andrew Povich and Drew Povey, as a foreign mercenary who allegedly built a network of sleeper cells with the aim of toppling the government.
According to the investigation, Wynne rented a space at Labour House in Abuja under the guise of operating an ‘Iva Valley Bookshop’ and established ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ as a front for his subversive activities.
“Documentary evidence and confessions revealed that Andrew Wynne issued directives, monitored progress, and provided finance and operational guidance to achieve unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria,” the police disclosed.
Wynne is accused of mobilizing and deploying billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators, urging them to incite the public to storm police facilities and military barracks, with the hope of triggering a violent crackdown that would draw international condemnation of the Nigerian government.
“These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws,” the police emphasized.
As part of the investigation, ten suspects have already been apprehended and arraigned before a competent court of law on Monday, September 2, 2024.
The charges against them include Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has activated INTERPOL tools and other global policing networks to locate and apprehend the suspects who remain at large.
He assured the public that the Force is committed to bringing those responsible to justice, while also protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and free expression.
“We recognize and remain committed to protecting citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed fundamental and democratic rights to peaceful assembly and free expression.
However, we advise citizens to be wary of subversive elements who weaponize and commercialize protests for personal financial and ideological benefits,” Adejobi warned.
