The Nigeria Police Force, through its Intelligence Response Team (IRT), has invited a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Tammy Wenike Danagogo, for questioning over a leaked phone conversation allegedly linked to a plot to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
An invitation letter dated January 9 and issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, Force Intelligence Department, Abuja, directed Danagogo to appear in person at the IRT complex in Guzape District, Abuja.
The letter, obtained by SaharaReporters, instructed Danagogo to report on Thursday, January 15, at 10am, to the IRT facility located at the Old Abattoir area near Guzape Junction, Abuja.
He was also directed to report to CSP Hillary Ugwuanyi and his team upon arrival.
“This office is inviting you over an ongoing investigation, to appear in person to shed light on some information,” the letter stated.
The police described the summons as a fact-finding exercise, citing Section 53(2)(c) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as the legal basis for the invitation.
Although the invitation letter did not mention Wike by name or provide details of the alleged offence, sources familiar with the investigation said the invitation was connected to a viral audio recording that has heightened political tensions in Rivers State.
Danagogo, a close ally of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, previously served as Secretary to the State Government during the political crisis in the state.
Online reports have linked him to the leaked audio purportedly discussing a plan to eliminate Wike, his long-time political rival.
Recall that operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team had arrested a Port Harcourt–based medical doctor and pastor, Dr Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, over an alleged plot to assassinate the former Rivers State governor.
Security sources said Gbeneol, founder of Life Forte Chapel Church in Port Harcourt, was arrested following the interception of a phone conversation allegedly between him and Danagogo.
According to the sources, the recorded conversation reportedly involved discussions about bringing in Israeli nationals to carry out the assassination, with plans to approach Governor Fubara for funding.
“The content of the call was considered a grave national security threat,” a senior security source said, adding that the intelligence prompted immediate action by the IRT.
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the case.
“He is in our custody. Investigation is ongoing,” the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said on Monday.
While the police declined to disclose the identity of the suspect or provide further details, sources said detectives are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged plot and identify possible accomplices.