The Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja has declared a British national, Andrew Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich, and a Nigerian, Lucky Obiyan, wanted for allegedly plotting to overthrow the democratically elected government.
During a media briefing, the police accused Wynne and Obiyan of establishing a network of sleeper cells with the aim of toppling the federal government and plunging the nation into crisis. Force Public Relations Officer, OluMuyiwa Adejobi, revealed that Wynne rented a space at Labour House in Abuja, where he set up a school to disguise his illegal activities.
Adejobi stated, “The Nigeria Police Force has launched a comprehensive investigation into the activities of a foreign national and subversive elements plotting to undermine the democratically elected government in Nigeria through unconstitutional regime change and orchestrating violence across the country.”
He further disclosed that, following extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, nine suspects have been apprehended. These individuals reportedly received substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilize the country. Preliminary findings suggest they orchestrated and funded violent protests, spread false information, and engaged in other unlawful activities to create chaos and justify their plot to overthrow the government.
The investigation identified Andrew Wynne, a British national operating under the aliases Andrew Povich and Drew Povey, as the mastermind behind the network. Wynne allegedly used his connections to finance and guide efforts to destabilize the government, including renting a space at Labour House for an “Iva Valley Bookshop” and establishing “STARS of Nations Schools” as fronts for his subversive activities.
Adejobi revealed that documentary evidence and confessions have shown that Wynne issued directives, monitored progress, and provided financial and operational guidance to achieve an unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria. He reportedly mobilized and deployed billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators, encouraging them to incite the public to violently storm police stations and military barracks, with the intention of provoking a bloodbath that would draw international condemnation of the Nigerian government. These actions violate the Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011 and other relevant laws.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, condemning the activities of the group, has activated INTERPOL tools and global policing networks to support ongoing investigations aimed at locating and apprehending the suspects. The IGP assured the public that the Force will leave no stone unturned in bringing to justice any individual or group threatening national security and peace or promoting any movement aimed at undermining Nigeria’s democracy.
Egbetokun emphasized that while the police respect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and free expression, they urge the public to be cautious of subversive elements who exploit and commercialize protests for personal gain.
He clarified that the police’s recent invitation to certain individuals within the NLC leadership was unrelated to rights advocacy or union activities but was instead focused on exploring their connections with Andrew Wynne, who is not only plotting unconstitutional regime change but also financing terrorism in Nigeria.
The IGP appealed for the cooperation of all law-abiding citizens in the ongoing investigation and assured that anyone with information leading to the arrest of the wanted suspects will be rewarded handsomely.
