The Nigeria Police Force, through its Intelligence Response Team (IRT), has invited a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Tammy Wenike Danagogo, for questioning over a leaked phone conversation allegedly linked to a plot to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
In an invitation letter dated January 9 and issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja, Danagogo was directed to appear in person at the IRT complex in Guzape District, Abuja, as part of what police described as an “ongoing investigation.”
The letter, obtained by SaharaReporters, instructed Danagogo to report on Thursday, January 15, at 10am, to the IRT facility at the Old Abattoir area, close to 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 said the invitation was a “fact-finding exercise in the interest of justice and fairness,” citing Section 53(2)(c) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as the legal basis for the summons.
“In view of the above, you are to interview the undersigned on Thursday, 15th January, 2025, by 10:00hrs prompt, at the IRT Complex, Old Abattoir, close to Guzape Junction, Abuja,” the letter read.
“On arrival, you are to report to CSP Hillary Ugwuanyi & team on phone number. Please be informed that this is a fact-finding exercise in the interest of justice and fairness, in line with the provisions of Section 53(2)(c) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. Your prompt response in this regard is most required.”
Danagogo, a close ally of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former SSG during the escalating political crisis in the state, has been linked in online reports to a leaked audio recording purportedly discussing a plan to eliminate Wike, his long-time political rival.
Although the police invitation letter did not explicitly mention Wike or provide details of the alleged conversation, sources familiar with the investigation told SaharaReporters that the summons is connected to the viral audio recording that has further inflamed political tensions in Rivers State and beyond.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that a Port Harcourt–based medical doctor and pastor was arrested over an alleged plot to assassinate the former Rivers State governor.
Security sources disclosed that operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) arrested Dr. Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, a medical doctor and founder of Life Forte Chapel Church in Port Harcourt, over an alleged plan to kill Wike.
According to the sources, the arrest followed the interception of a phone conversation between Gbeneol and the immediate past SSG, Danagogo.
In the recorded conversation, the suspects allegedly discussed plans 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 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, reportedly moved in and arrested Dr. Gbeneol, who has been in detention for about two weeks.
Security sources further claimed that efforts are ongoing to arrest Danagogo, who is alleged to have gone underground since the matter became public.
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed the arrest of a suspect in connection with the case, stating that the individual is currently in custody while investigations continue
“He is in our custody. Investigation is ongoing,” Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, told SaharaReporters on Monday, without providing further details.
While the police declined to disclose the suspect’s identity or the specific nature of the alleged offence, sources familiar with the investigation said detectives are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case and identify possible accomplices.
