The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered plots by foreign national and subversive elements to undermine the democratically elected government in Nigeria through unconstitutional regime change and orchestrated violence across the country.
The Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday in Abuja during an emergency press conference.
Mr Adejobi said: “Following extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, nine suspects have been apprehended. They received substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilize the country.
“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.
“Investigations have identified a foreign mercenary, Andrew Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey), a British national, who built a network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos.
“He rented a space at Labour House, Abuja, for an ‘Iva Valley Bookshop’ and established ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ as a cover 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.
“He mobilized and deployed several billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators, urging them to incite the public to violently storm police facilities and military barracks, anticipating a bloodbath that would instigate international condemnation of the Nigerian government. These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws.
“Since the commencement of investigations, Andrew Wynne has fled the country. He and one of his local coordinators, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, have been declared wanted, and a global hunt for them has commenced in connection with this investigation.
“The ten other suspects already apprehended have been arraigned before a competent court of law today, Monday, September 2, 2024, for Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime.
“They include Angel Love Innocent (F), Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon (M), Michael Tobitoba Adaramoye AKA Leni (M), Suleiman Yakubu (M), Buhari Lawal (M), Mosiu Sadiq (M), Abayomi Adeyemi (M), Abdulsalam Zubairu (M), Nuradeen Hamis (M), and Bashir Bello (M).
“These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws.”
He further explained that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, while condemning the activities of the group, has activated INTERPOL tools and other global policing networks to support ongoing domestic investigations aimed at locating and apprehending the suspects at large.
According to him, “the IGP assures the general public that the Force will leave no stone unturned in dealing with and bringing to justice any individual or group threatening our national security and peace or promoting any movement with the motive of truncating our democratic government through unconstitutional means.
“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.”
The FPRO, however, clarified that contrary to disinformation, the invitation extended to certain individuals within the NLC leadership had nothing to do with rights advocacy and activities of the Union leadership but was aimed at clarifying the relationship between the individuals and Andrew Wynne, who, in addition to plotting unconstitutional regime change, is also financing terrorism in Nigeria.
According to him, “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.
“No nation will tolerate attempts by foreign elements to interfere in its internal affairs, threaten national security, and organize and fund local elements to instigate uprisings aimed at destabilizing the country and engendering violent and unconstitutional regime change.”
He stated that the Inspector-General of Police appealed for the cooperation and support of all law-abiding citizens in the ongoing investigation and assured that anyone with information leading to the arrest of any of the suspects declared wanted would be appreciated and rewarded handsomely.
