The police high command on Monday declared Andrew Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey), a British national, wanted for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government led by President Bola Tinubu.
The police stated that they have specifically launched a comprehensive investigation into how foreign mercenaries and other subversive elements conspired to undermine Nigeria’s democratically elected government.
Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesman and Assistant Commissioner of Police, revealed this information at Force Headquarters in Abuja.
He stated that Wynne rented a space at Labour House in Abuja for an ‘Iva Valley Bookshop’ and established ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ as a cover for his subversive activities.
Adejobi told journalists that documentary evidence and confessions indicated that Wynne issued directives and monitored the progress of the protests that took place in August.
He added that Wynne provided funding and operational guidance aimed at achieving an unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria.
“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 of Nigeria through unconstitutional means and orchestrating violence across the country,” Adejobi said.
“Following extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, nine suspects have been apprehended who received significant 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 chaos and justify their illegal plot to overthrow the democratically elected government.”
This development follows the recent arrests made by the Department of State Services (DSS) of several individuals in Kano during the protests.
Polish authorities have stated that their citizens were not involved in the Nigerian protests, where flags were waved, as they were in Kano for an exchange program at Bayero University.
However, the Polish citizens were released after weeks of detention.
The police have also invited Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), regarding the British national who is a tenant at Labour House in Abuja.
Although Ajaero honoured the invitation last week, the police have since reinvited him.
