The Nigeria Police Force Headquarters Monday declared wanted a foreign mercenary, Andrew Wynne, a British national also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey, for allegedly sponsoring terrorism in the country.
It also declared wanted Lucky Ehis Obiyan, alleged to be a local coordinator for Wynne, saying global hunting for them has commenced.
For the two persons, the FHQ placed a ten million naira on each.
This was contained in a Special Police Gazette Bulletin made available to journalists at the Force Headquarters.
“If seen, arrest and hand over to the nearest Police, 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,” the bulletin read in part.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the police investigation of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which did not know the real identity of the person occupying their building, revealed the level of involvement of the foreigner.
He said the foreign mercenary had built a network of sleeper cells to topple the Nigerian government and plunge the nation into chaos.
“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, and 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 would instigate international condemnation of the Nigerian government. These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws.
“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 global hunting for them has commenced in connection with this investigation,” Adejobi said.
…Ten others charged
He also said ten persons were also charged to court over their alleged involvement in the plot to topple the government.
“The ten other suspects already apprehended have been arraigned before a competent court of law today, Monday, September 2, 2024, for Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime,” Adejobi noted.
He listed the accused as Angel Love Innocent, female; Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, Michael Tobitoba Adaramoye AKA Leni, Suleiman Yakubu, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Abayomi Adeyemi, Abdulsalam Zubairu, Nuradeen Hamis, and Bashir Bello, all males.
…On NLC invitation
Speaking on the invitation of the NLC management by the police, he said: “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 is aimed at clearing the relationship between 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.”
…CISLAC, HURIWA react
In a reaction, Executive Director Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) Auwal Musa Rafsanjani said: “We have more important security threats than this kind of jovial talks.
“The Nigeria Police know that that kind of talk doesn’t constitute any threat and cannot undermine or remove President Tinubu from office.
“So, rather than investing energy in chasing someone, who is not even in the country, they should utilise their resources better by tackling the more serious security challenges. Talk doesn’t constitute a threat to the government.”
On his part, the National Coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA), Emmanuel Onwubiko, said: “The declaration is irresponsible, ludicrous, and absolutely shameful. From all that the police have told Nigerians, there are no ingredients of the so-called treason or attempt to overthrow the government.”
“To begin with, how on earth did the police draw a conclusion that protesters who acted within their constitutional rights were coup plotters? This is shameful.”
…Wynne speaks
Reacting to the police declaration, Wynne said the government was unsettled by the EndBadgovernance protest held across the country.
In a statement Monday titled “Protests, not treason,” the Briton said: “The mass protests over #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger frightened the government. However, the government turned to repression rather than addressing the people’s demands. Perhaps 40 people were murdered by the police and other security forces, thousands were arrested, and many remain in captivity.
“In Abuja, the authorities have attacked the so-called leaders and organisers of the protests. Ten people face ridiculous charges including treason, mutiny and levying war against the state.
“The first person to be arrested in this case was Eleojo Opaluwa. He is a former colleague of Joe Ajaero, who works for NUEE, the electricians’ union, as an organiser in Abuja.
“He is also the Vice Chair of the NLC in Kogi State. He has now been detained for over four weeks with no tangible evidence. His family was told that he had received a WhatsApp message from one of the other alleged leaders. This was after Eleojo had been detained,” he said.
“The ten detainees have been accused of conspiracy to commit a range of serious crimes. However, they barely know each other. Five of them may have been members of a WhatsApp group set up to organise the protests in Abuja.
“But the other five are unknown to these comrades. They may be a few of the flag-waving protesters from Kano who were added to extend the range of the organizers to cover the main protests from Sokoto to Maiduguri,” he added.
The Briton further said: “There appears to be a conflict between the government and the police investigating this case. The head of the Intelligence Response Team told the detainees’ lawyers that he would have released them but that he had orders from above not to set them free. So the police have developed what appears to be a ridiculous case involving the owner of Iva Valley Books.”
On the claim that he had left the country, the wanted Wynne clarified: “They are claiming that I travelled under the name of Andrew Povich, a Russian-sounding name and that I have now left Nigeria for Russia. Neither of these claims are true. Yomi, who works for Iva Valley Books, has, like the other detainees, been treated in a terribly inhumane manner.
“He was arrested in front of his wife and three-year-old daughter. The police confiscated all their phones. This was despite appeals from his wife that they needed a phone to get money for food. He was then imprisoned illegally and held in chains, beaten and tortured for three days. His only involvement was to design flyers for the protests.”
Wynne said: “The NLC has shown that it has the power to protect its President. It now needs to extend this action to protect its other officers, its members and the general public.”
…COPAN condemns attempt
Meanwhile, the Conference of Patriotic Nigerians (COPAN) under the leadership of Barrister Uchenna Odielli has condemned the alleged attempted overthrow of the Nigerian government.
In a statement Monday in Abuja, COPAN said: “Any attempt and plot to overthrow a democratically elected government by foreign actors must be condemned. Such actions are a blatant violation of national sovereignty, democratic principles and international law.
“Interfering with the democratic process and attempting to impose external control undermines the will of the people and threatens global stability.
“We urge all nationals staying in Nigeria to respect the democratic choices of their peers and refrain from engaging in subversive activities. Instead, we advocate for diplomatic dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect to address differences and promote peaceful coexistence.
“Let us stand together in defence of our nascent democracy, sovereignty and the rule of law by rejecting any attempts to undermine these fundamental values.
“We call on Nigerians to be vigilant and support the Renewed Hope Agenda that economic hardship will soon be over. This is a trying time, but all hands must be on deck to enthrone unity, peace and development, which the Tinubu administration stand for.”