The police have declared a British national, Andrew Wynne, wanted for allegedly attempting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Wynne, who also goes by the names Andrew Povich and Drew Povey, is accused of sponsoring the recent #EndBadGovernance protests that shook the country from August 1st to 10th, 2024.
According to a statement released by the Nigerian Police Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, Wynne is believed to have orchestrated and funded violent protests with the aim of destabilizing the country.
The protests, which initially began as peaceful demonstrations against poor governance and economic hardship, turned violent in several areas, prompting a strong response from security forces.
ACP Adejobi claimed that Wynne had fled the country since the investigation began, and a global manhunt has been initiated to locate and apprehend him.
“Since the commencement of investigations, Andrew Wynne has fled the country. He and one of his local coordinators, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, have accordingly been declared wanted, and global hunting for them has commenced in connection with this investigation,” the statement read.
The Nigerian Police allege that Wynne, posing as the owner of Iva Valley Books and operator of STARS of Nations Schools in Abuja, used these establishments as covers for his subversive activities.
He is accused of building a network of sleeper cells across Nigeria, with the intention of toppling the government and plunging the nation into chaos.
“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,” ACP Adejobi said.
The police claim that Wynne mobilized billions of naira to support his Nigerian collaborators, urging them to incite public unrest by storming police facilities and military barracks, in hopes of provoking a violent response that would draw international condemnation of the Nigerian government.
The police have already arrested nine suspects in connection with the alleged plot. These individuals are accused of receiving substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilize Nigeria.
The suspects, identified as Angel Love Innocent, Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, Michael Tobitoba Adaramoye (also known as Leni), Suleiman Yakubu, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Abayomi Adeyemi, Abdulsalam Zubairu, and Bashir Bello, have been charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime.
The suspects were arraigned before a court earlier today. The charges against them include violations of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun condemned the activities of Wynne and his alleged collaborators, emphasizing that the police will use all available resources to bring those responsible to justice.
The said the police had approached INTERPOL and other global policing networks to assist in the search for Wynne and Obiyan.
“We recognize and remain committed to protecting citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed fundamental and democratic rights to peaceful assembly and free expression,” the IGP said.
However, he also warned citizens to be cautious of individuals and groups who might exploit protests for personal or ideological gains.
The #EndBadGovernance protests began as a movement against corruption, economic mismanagement, and the perceived failure of the government to address the needs of ordinary Nigerians.
However, the protests quickly escalated, with reports of violence and clashes between demonstrators and security forces in several states.
