The Nigeria Police Force has declared Andrew Wynne, a Briton also known as Andrew Povich, and a Nigerian named Lucky Obiyan wanted for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the democratically elected government of President Bola Tinubu. A bounty of N20 million has been placed on the suspects.
At a media briefing, the police accused Wynne and Obiyan of establishing a network of sleeper cells with the intent to destabilize the Federal Government of Nigeria and incite a national crisis. The Force Public Relations Officer, OluMuyiwa Adejobi, revealed that Wynne had rented a space at Labour House in Abuja, where he set up a school as a front for his illegal activities.
“The Nigeria Police Force has launched a thorough investigation into the activities of a foreign national and local subversive elements plotting to undermine Nigeria’s democratically elected government through unconstitutional means and orchestrating violence nationwide,” Adejobi stated.
He continued, “Through extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, nine suspects have already been apprehended. These individuals received significant financial support from foreign sources to destabilize the country. Initial findings indicate that they orchestrated and funded violent protests, spread misinformation, and engaged in other unlawful activities to create chaos and justify their illegal plot to overthrow the government.”
Adejobi identified Andrew Wynne, a British national also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey, as the mastermind behind the plot. “Wynne built a network of sleeper cells with the aim of toppling the government and plunging 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.”
The police spokesperson further revealed that documentary evidence and confessions had shown Wynne provided financial and operational support to his Nigerian collaborators to achieve the unconstitutional regime change. “Wynne 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, in hopes of sparking a bloodbath that would draw international condemnation of the Nigerian government. These acts violate the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws.”
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, while condemning the group’s activities, has activated INTERPOL tools and other global policing networks to assist in locating and apprehending the suspects. The IGP assured the public that the force would not rest until those threatening national security and peace are brought to justice.
The IGP also clarified that the recent police interaction with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was unrelated to their rights advocacy but focused on understanding their connections to Andrew Wynne. Wynne, in addition to plotting an unconstitutional regime change, is also accused of financing terrorism in Nigeria.
“No nation will tolerate attempts by foreign elements to interfere in its internal affairs, threaten national security, and organize or fund local elements to instigate uprisings aimed at destabilizing the country and engendering violent and unconstitutional regime change,” Adejobi concluded.
The IGP appealed to all law-abiding citizens for their cooperation and support in the ongoing investigation and encouraged anyone with information leading to the arrest of the wanted suspects to come forward, promising substantial rewards.
BY Ebubedike Ochu
