The Nigeria Police have declared Andrew Wynne, a British citizen, wanted over his alleged involvement in the August 1–10 protests and attempt to destabilize the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyuwa Adejobi, made this known in a press statement released to Persecondnews in Abuja on Monday.
Adejobi said: “Investigations have identified a foreign mercenary, Andrew Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey), a British national, who built a network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge 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.
“Documentary evidence and confessions revealed that Wynne issued directives, monitored progress, and provided finance and operational guidance to achieve unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria.
“He mobilized and deployed several billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators, urging them to mobilize the public to violently storm police facilities and military barracks, anticipating a bloodbath that would instigate international condemnation of the Nigerian government.
“Since the commencement of investigations, Andrew Wynne has fled the country. He and one of his local coordinators, one Lucky Ehis Obiyan, have accordingly been declared wanted, and a global manhunt for them has commenced in connection with this investigation.
“Following extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, nine suspects have been apprehended. They received substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilize the country.
“Preliminary findings suggest they orchestrated and funded violent protests, disseminated false information, and engaged in other unlawful activities to create anarchy and justify their illegal plot to overthrow the democratically-elected government.
“These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws. The 10 other suspects already apprehended have been arraigned before a competent court of law on Monday, September 2, 2024, for criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has condemned the group’s actions and said he is working with INTERPOL and other global policing networks to assist in the investigation and arrest of the remaining suspects.
Egbetokun assured that the authorities will exhaust all avenues to identify, apprehend, and bring to justice individuals or groups imperiling national security and peace or seeking to subvert democratic governance through illegitimate means.
Adejobi added: “We recognize the importance of protecting citizens’ constitutional rights to assemble peacefully and express themselves freely.
“At the same time, we urge citizens to be cautious of individuals or groups that manipulate and profit from protests, potentially compromising democratic principles.”
He clarified that the invitation to specific NLC leaders is not related to the union’s advocacy efforts but rather aims to investigate their connections to Andrew Wynne, who is accused of plotting regime change and financing terrorism in Nigeria.
He said: Following the meeting between the police and the NLC President, the scope of the ongoing investigation and the extent of Andrew Wynne’s alleged subversive activities have become clearer.
“No sovereign nation will accept foreign interference in its internal matters, threats to national security, or attempts to incite local unrest through funding and organization, aimed at destabilizing the country and achieving violent, unconstitutional regime change.
“The IGP seeks the cooperation and support of all law-abiding citizens in the ongoing investigation and promises that anyone providing information leading to the arrest of wanted suspects will be duly appreciated and rewarded.”
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