The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday declared a Briton, Wynne Martin, and a Nigeria national, Lucky Obinyan, wanted over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
The police said the duo attempted to undermine the democratically elected government through unconstitutional regime change and orchestrating violence across the country.
The Police in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, declaring the foreigner, and Nigeria national Obinyan wanted followed a comprehensive investigation into the duo’s activities.
According to the police, through collaboration with other security agencies and intelligence, the suspects were found to have received substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilise the country.
“If seen, arrest and hand over to the nearest Police Station, or to the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Force Intelligence, Force Headquarters, Abuja, or call 08035179870, 09133333785, 09133333786. A reward sum of N10,000,000 awaits any person(s) with information leading to the arrest of each of them,” a police flyer read.
The statement further noted that nine suspects have also been apprehended.
The statement said, “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.
“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 Andrew Wynne issued directives, monitored progress, provided finance and operational guidance to achieve unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria.
“He mobilised and deployed several billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators, urging them to mobilise the public to violently storm police facilities and military barracks, anticipating a bloodbath that will instigate international condemnation of the Nigerian government.
“These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws.”
The police added that since the commencement of investigations, Wynne had fled the country.
“He and one of his local coordinators, one Lucky Ehis Obiyan have accordingly been declared wanted and global hunting for them has commenced in connection with this investigation,” the police said.
The nine arrested suspects, according to the statement, have been arraigned before the court on Monday for Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, while condemning the activities of the group, has since activated the INTERPOL tools and other global policing networks to support ongoing domestic investigations aimed at locating and apprehending the suspects at large.
The statement further read, “The IGP assures the general public that the Force will leave no stone unturned in dealing with and bringing to deserved justice, any individual or group threatening our national security and peace or promoting any movement with the motive of truncating our democratic government through unconstitutional means.
“We recognize and remain committed to protecting citizens constitutionally guaranteed fundamental and democratic rights to peaceful assembly and free expression. However, we advise citizens to be wary of subversive elements who weaponize and commercialise protests for personal financial and ideological benefits.
“Contrary to disinformation, the invitation extended to certain individuals within the NLC leadership has nothing to do with rights advocacy and activities of the Union leadership but aimed at clearing the relationship of the individuals and Andrew Wynne who in addition to plotting unconstitutional regime change is also financing terrorism in Nigeria.
“Following the interaction between the police investigation team and the NLC President, there is now a clearer understanding of the focus of the ongoing police investigation and the depth of Andrew Wynne’s subversive network and activities.
“No nation will tolerate attempts by foreign elements to interfere in its internal affairs, threaten national security and organise and fund local elements to instigate uprisings aimed at destabilising the country and engendering violent and unconstitutional regime change.
“The Inspector-General of Police appeals for cooperation and support of all law-abiding citizens in the ongoing investigation. He assures anyone with information leading to the arrest of any of the suspects declared wanted will be appreciated and rewarded handsomely.”