The Nigeria Police Force 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 (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Danagogo was summoned by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Force Intelligence Department, Abuja, in a letter dated January 9. The invitation directed him to appear in person at the IRT complex in the Guzape District of Abuja on Thursday, January 15, at 10am.
According to the letter, which was obtained by SaharaReporters, Danagogo is expected to report to the IRT facility located at the Old Abattoir area near Guzape Junction and present himself to CSP Hillary Ugwuanyi and his team.
“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 (ACJA), 2015, as the legal basis for the invitation.
Although the letter did not mention Wike by name or specify the alleged offence, sources familiar with the investigation said the invitation is connected to a viral audio recording that has intensified 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 height of the political crisis in the state. Online reports have linked him to the leaked audio, which purportedly contains discussions about a plan to eliminate Wike, his long-time political rival.
Security sources also disclosed that operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team recently arrested a Port Harcourt–based medical doctor and pastor, Dr Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, in connection with the alleged assassination plot.
Gbeneol, who is the founder of Life Forte Chapel Church in Port Harcourt, was reportedly arrested after investigators intercepted a phone conversation allegedly between him and Danagogo.
According to the sources, the recorded conversation 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. “That intelligence prompted immediate action by the IRT.”
Confirming developments in the case, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the police have arrested a suspect linked to the alleged plot.
“He is in our custody. Investigation is ongoing,” Hundeyin said on Monday.
While the police declined to disclose the identity of the suspect or provide further details, security sources said detectives are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged plot and to identify other possible accomplices.
