The Nigeria Police Force has declared a British citizen, Andrew Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich, and a Nigerian, Lucky Obiyan, wanted for allegedly planning to overthrow the country’s democratically elected government. The announcement was made on Monday during a press briefing in Abuja by the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi.
According to the police, Wynne is accused of building a network of sleeper cells intended to destabilize the government and create widespread chaos in Nigeria. He allegedly rented a space at Labour House in Abuja, where he set up a school called ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ and an ‘Iva Valley Bookshop’ as a cover for his activities.
He said, “The Nigeria Police Force has launched a comprehensive investigation into the activities of foreign national and subversive elements plotting to undermine the democratically elected government in Nigeria through unconstitutional regime change and orchestrating violence across the country.
“Following extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, nine suspects have been apprehended, who received substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilise the country.”
“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 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 reportedly show that Wynne provided financial and operational support to his collaborators in Nigeria. He allegedly issued directives, monitored their progress, and allocated several billions of naira to fuel their activities. He is also accused of encouraging them to incite public violence, including attacks on police and military installations, in the hope of provoking international condemnation of the Nigerian government.
Adejobi noted that Wynne and his local partner, Obiyan, have since fled Nigeria and are currently being sought by authorities.
He said, “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,” the FPRO added.
Adejobi said Wynne and his local coordinator, Obiyan, had fled the country.
He said, “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.”
