Police Launch Probe As Ex-Minister Denies Alleged Plot To Assassinate Wike

Former Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, has denied involvement in an alleged plot to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.

Security operatives from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Unit!had during the weekend arrested a medical doctor and founder of Life Forte Chapel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Tombari Gbeneol, over alleged plot to assassinate Wike.

It was gathered that the arrest followed the interception of a phone conversation between Gbeneol and Danagogo, who is also the immediate-past Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG).

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.

But, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday evening, the former minister dismissed the allegations as baseless fabrication.

The statement, which was signed by Danagogo’s special assistant, Barrister Obele Briggs, insisted that he had no dealings whatsoever with anybody and was never at any time involved in any discussion, meeting, or plan bordering on violence, assassination, or any unlawful act.

It read in part: “The attention of Chief Dr. Tammy Danagogo, former Secretary to the Government of Rivers State, and Former Minister of Sports of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been drawn to a spurious online publication alleging his involvement in a fabricated assassination plot in company of Pastor Tombari Joseph Gbeneol and others.

“Dr. Danagogo categorically denies these allegations . They are baseless, false and fabricated. He has no dealings whatsoever with anybody and was never, at any time, involved in any discussion, meeting, or plan bordering on violence, assassination, or any unlawful act.

“The claims, which are being circulated on certain online platforms, are false, malicious, and deliberately crafted to smear his hard-earned reputation, mislead the public, and drag his name into issues he knows absolutely nothing about.

“These allegations are not only reckless but also constitute a gross abuse of responsible journalism. Dr. Danagogo is a peace-loving, law-abiding citizen who has served Rivers State and Nigeria with distinction and integrity.

“Throughout his public and private life, he has consistently upheld the rule of law, due process, and the peaceful coexistence of all citizens.

“He therefore calls on the general public to completely disregard these unfounded and mischievous reports, which exist only in the imagination of their peddlers.

“He is not, can not and has never been at large. At present, he is freely in his house and will readily make himself available to the police or any responsible law enforcement agency for investigation, if invited.

“Dr. Danagogo remains committed to peace, justice, and the stability of Rivers State, and will not be distracted by baseless attempts to malign his character.”