The Nigerian Police have launched an international manhunt for British national Andrew Wynne, accusing him of masterminding a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. Wynne is alleged to have financed and orchestrated the #EndBadGovernance protests that shook the country from August 1st to 10th, 2024.
According to a statement by the Nigerian Police Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, Wynne has fled the country and is now on the run. The police, in collaboration with international security agencies, have declared Wynne and his local coordinator, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, wanted. “Since the commencement of investigations, Andrew Wynne has fled the country,” Adejobi stated. “A global manhunt for them has commenced in connection with this investigation.”
According to the police, their investigation has uncovered a complex network of activities allegedly led by Wynne, who also goes by the aliases Andrew Povich and Drew Povey.
Wynne is accused of establishing sleeper cells across Nigeria, funding violent protests, and spreading disinformation with the ultimate goal of destabilizing the country. According to the police, Wynne rented a space in Labour House, Abuja, under the guise of running an “Iva Valley Bookshop” and set up “STARS of Nations Schools” as a cover for his subversive operations.
The Police said that documentary evidence and confessions from arrested suspects indicate that Wynne funnelled billions of naira to Nigerian collaborators. He allegedly directed these funds towards mobilizing the public to storm police stations and military barracks, intending to provoke violent clashes that would attract international condemnation of the Nigerian government. “These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws,” Adejobi emphasized.
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As part of the ongoing investigation, nine suspects have been apprehended and charged with various crimes, including terrorism financing, treasonable felony, and subversion. The suspects, including Angel Love Innocent and Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, were arraigned in court on September 2, 2024. The police have also confirmed that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has activated INTERPOL’s tools and other global policing networks to track down Wynne and his associates.
The IGP has condemned the activities of the group and assured the public that no effort will be spared in bringing the perpetrators to justice. “The Force will leave no stone unturned in dealing with and bringing to deserved justice any individual or group threatening our national security,” Egbetokun vowed.
