Police Detain Rivers Pastor, Hunt For Ex-Minister Over Alleged Plot To Kill Wike

The Rivers State Police Command has detained a Port Harcourt-based Pastor, Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, over alleged plot to kill FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

This is as the Command has summoned a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in the State and one-time Minister of Sport, Dr. Tammy Danagogo.

The arrest followed the interception of a phone conversation between Gbeneol and the immediate-past SSG, Dr. Danagogo.

In the recorded conversation, the suspects allegedly discussed a plot to bring in Israeli nationals to carry out the assassination of the FCT Minister. The discussion reportedly ended with an alleged plan to approach Governor Siminalayi Fubara for funding to execute the operation.

“The content of the call was considered a grave national security threat,” a senior security source said. “That was what triggered the immediate action by the IRT.”

Following the intelligence report, operatives of the IRT, led by Commissioner of Police Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, moved in and arrested Dr. Gbeneol. He has reportedly been in detention for about two weeks.

Security sources further disclosed that efforts were ongoing to arrest Danagogo, who is alleged to have gone underground since the matter came to light.

The Nigeria Police, however, confirmed the arrest of the suspect, saying the individual is currently in custody while an investigation was ongoing.

“He is in our custody. Investigation is ongoing,” Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said on Monday.

Although the police declined to disclose further details about the suspect’s identity or the nature of the alleged offence, sources familiar with the matter said detectives were working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case and possible accomplices.