By Daniel Igboekwe
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) announced on Monday that a British national, Andrew Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey, and a Nigerian citizen, Lucky Obiyan, have been declared wanted for allegedly plotting to overthrow the democratically elected government in Nigeria.
The police accused the two individuals of conspiring to destabilize the country and undermine its democratic governance.
According to the NPF, Andrew Wynne was allegedly involved in creating a network of sleeper cells across Nigeria with the intent to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos.
Wynne is reported to have rented a space at the Labour House in Abuja and established an educational institution, “STARS of Nations Schools,” as a cover for his subversive activities. The police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, addressing the press in Abuja, stated that Wynne also set up an “Iva Valley Bookshop” as part of his strategy to disguise his intentions.
Adejobi emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, has launched a comprehensive investigation into what it describes as “foreign nationals and subversive elements plotting to undermine the democratically elected government in Nigeria through unconstitutional regime change and orchestrating violence across the country.” The police have so far apprehended nine suspects who allegedly received significant financial backing from foreign sources to execute their destabilization plans.
Preliminary findings, as presented by the police, suggest that the arrested suspects orchestrated and funded violent protests, disseminated misinformation, and engaged in other unlawful activities designed to create an atmosphere of chaos and anarchy. This, they believed, would justify an illegal attempt to overthrow the democratically elected government.
Adejobi provided further details, stating, “Documentary evidence and confessions revealed that Andrew Wynne issued directives, monitored progress, and provided financial and operational guidance to achieve unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria.” He added that Wynne allegedly mobilized and deployed several billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators. These collaborators were reportedly instructed to incite the public to violently storm police facilities and military barracks, with the anticipation that the resulting bloodshed would provoke international condemnation of the Nigerian government.
The police spokesperson highlighted that the acts committed by Wynne and his associates are in direct violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011, as well as other relevant laws in Nigeria.
Since the investigation commenced, both Wynne and his local coordinator, Lucky Obiyan, have reportedly fled the country. Adejobi confirmed, “Andrew Wynne and one of his local coordinators, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, have been declared wanted, and a global search for them has commenced in connection with this investigation.”
The police are continuing their investigation and have vowed to bring all individuals involved in this alleged plot to justice. Further details will be provided as the investigation unfolds.