The Nigeria Police have declared a British national, Andrew Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey, wanted for allegedly sponsoring terrorism in the country and plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Wynne is suspected of building a network of sleeper cells aimed at destabilizing Nigeria and has been linked to subversive activities. Wynne reportedly rented a space at Labour House, Abuja, for an “Iva Valley Bookshop” and established “STARS of Nations Schools” as a cover for his operations.
“Investigations have identified a foreign mercenary, Andrew Wynne, a British national, who built a network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos,” ACP Adejobi stated during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday. “He issued directives, monitored progress, and provided finance and operational guidance to achieve unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria.”
The police have also declared a Nigerian, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, alleged to be Wynne’s local coordinator, wanted in connection with the plot. A global manhunt for both men has commenced.
“Andrew Wynne mobilized and deployed several billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators, urging them to violently storm police facilities and military barracks, anticipating a bloodbath that would instigate international condemnation of the Nigerian government,” Adejobi added. “These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws.”
Meanwhile, the police have arraigned ten other suspects allegedly involved in the plot before a competent court. The charges against them include Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime. The names of the arraigned individuals are 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.
Addressing the ongoing investigation, ACP Adejobi clarified that the invitation extended to certain individuals within the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leadership is unrelated to rights advocacy or the union’s activities but focuses on uncovering their relationship with Wynne.
“Following the interaction between the police investigation team and the NLC President, there is now a clearer understanding of the focus of the ongoing investigation and the depth of Andrew Wynne’s subversive network and activities,” Adejobi explained.
The investigation continues as the police intensify efforts to apprehend the wanted individuals.
