The Nigeria Police Force announced on Monday the launch of a comprehensive investigation into the activities of a foreign national and subversive elements allegedly plotting to undermine Nigeria’s democratically elected government through unconstitutional means and orchestrated violence.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, disclosed that the investigation follows extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies.
“Following extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, nine suspects have been apprehended, who received substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilize the country,” Adejobi revealed.
According to the police, the suspects were involved in orchestrating and funding violent protests, spreading false information, and engaging in unlawful activities aimed at creating chaos and justifying an illegal plot to overthrow the government.
The statement identified a British national, Andrew Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey, as the mastermind behind the plot.
“Investigations have identified a foreign mercenary, Andrew Wynne… who built a network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos,” Adejobi stated.
He added that Wynne had rented a space at Labour House, Abuja, for an ‘Iva Valley Bookshop’ and established ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ as fronts for his subversive activities.
The police revealed that documentary evidence and confessions from the suspects showed that Wynne provided financial and operational guidance to his Nigerian collaborators, urging them to mobilize the public to violently storm police facilities and military barracks.
“He mobilized and deployed several billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators, urging them to mobilize the public to violently storm police facilities and military barracks, anticipating a bloodbath that would instigate international condemnation of the Nigerian government,” Adejobi stated.
Wynne has reportedly fled the country, and both he and one of his local coordinators, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, have been declared wanted.
“The ten other suspects already apprehended have been arraigned before a competent court of law on Monday, September 2, 2024, for Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime,” the statement added.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has activated INTERPOL tools and other global policing networks to assist in locating and apprehending the suspects at large.
The IGP also assured the public that the Force would pursue justice against any individual or group threatening national security or attempting to overthrow the government through unconstitutional means.
“We recognize and remain committed to protecting citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed fundamental and democratic rights to peaceful assembly and free expression,” the IGP said.
However, he warned citizens to be wary of subversive elements who weaponize protests for personal financial and ideological gain.
The police also clarified that the recent invitation extended to certain individuals within the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) leadership is unrelated to rights advocacy but is focused on clarifying their relationship with Andrew Wynne.
“Following the interaction between the police investigation team and the NLC President, there is now a clearer understanding of the focus of the ongoing police investigation and the depth of Andrew Wynne’s subversive network and activities,” the Force PRO noted.
The IGP appealed for public cooperation and assured that any information leading to the arrest of the wanted suspects would be rewarded handsomely.
