The Nigerian Police have declared a British citizen, Andrew Wynne, and a Nigerian, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, wanted for allegedly planning to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu. Authorities accuse Wynne of directing, funding, and overseeing a conspiracy to orchestrate an unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria.
Assistant Commissioner of Police and Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed these details during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday. According to Adejobi, the police uncovered substantial evidence indicating that Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey, had established a network of sleeper cells across the country with the intent to destabilize the government.
The police have launched an international manhunt for Wynne and Obiyan, who are suspected of coordinating the efforts to incite violence and chaos in Nigeria. Adejobi revealed that the investigation, which involved extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, has already led to the arrest of nine suspects. These individuals allegedly received significant financial backing from foreign sources to execute their plans.
“The preliminary findings indicate that the suspects orchestrated and funded violent protests, disseminated false information, and engaged in other unlawful activities to create disorder and justify their illegal plot to overthrow the democratically elected government,” Adejobi stated.
Wynne is said to have rented a space at Labour House in Abuja under the guise of operating an ‘Iva Valley Bookshop’ and establishing ‘STARS of Nations Schools,’ which served as fronts for his subversive activities. The police allege that Wynne mobilized and funneled billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators, urging them to incite the public to violently storm police and military facilities, anticipating a bloody confrontation that would draw international condemnation of the Nigerian government.
The police have already arraigned ten of the arrested suspects before a competent court on charges including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime. The suspects include Angel Love Innocent, Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, Michael Tobitoba Adaramoye (AKA Leni), Suleiman Yakubu, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Abayomi Adeyemi, Abdulsalam Zubairu, Nuradeen Hamis, and Bashir Bello.
Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, condemned the actions of the alleged conspirators and assured the public that the police would leave no stone unturned in bringing those responsible to justice. He emphasized that the police remain committed to upholding citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and free expression, while warning against subversive elements who seek to exploit protests for personal or ideological gains.
Regarding the alleged involvement of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero in terrorism financing, Adejobi clarified that the police’s invitation to NLC leaders was aimed at understanding their relationship with Wynne. The police assert that Wynne’s activities represent a severe threat to national security, and they are determined to prevent any foreign interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
The police have urged the public to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and have offered rewards for information leading to the arrest of the wanted suspects.
