The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has declared a British national, Andrew Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich, and a Nigerian citizen, Lucky Obiyan, wanted for allegedly conspiring to overthrow Nigeria's democratically elected government. The announcement was made on Monday, September 2, 2024, by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, during a briefing in Abuja.
The police accused Wynne of building a network of sleeper cells across the country with the aim of toppling the government and creating widespread chaos. Wynne reportedly rented a space at Labour House in Abuja under the guise of running a bookshop called "Iva Valley Bookshop" and established a school named "STARS of Nations Schools" to cover his subversive activities.
"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 in Nigeria through unconstitutional regime change and orchestrating violence across the country," ACP Adejobi stated.
According to Adejobi, nine suspects have already been apprehended as part of the investigation. These individuals are accused of receiving substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilize the country. The police claim that the suspects orchestrated and funded violent protests, spread false information, and engaged in other unlawful activities designed to create anarchy and justify an illegal coup.
Documentary evidence and confessions obtained during the investigation suggest that Wynne provided financial support and operational guidance to achieve an unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria. ACP Adejobi revealed that Wynne mobilized several billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators, encouraging them to incite the public to violently storm police facilities and military barracks. The anticipated violence, Wynne allegedly hoped, would provoke international condemnation of the Nigerian government.
The actions of Wynne and his collaborators are said to be in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws.
The Nigeria Police Force has called on the public to provide any information that could lead to the apprehension of Andrew Wynne and Lucky Obiyan. The authorities are continuing their investigation into the plot to ensure the safety and stability of the country.
