The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has invited a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Tammy Wenike Danagogo, to Abuja for questioning over an alleged plot to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The invitation, issued by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), followed a leaked phone conversation allegedly linked to the purported assassination plan.

An invitation letter dated January 9 from the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, Force Intelligence Department, Abuja, directed Danagogo to appear at the IRT complex in the Guzape District on Thursday, January 15, at 10 a.m. He is expected to report 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 read.

The development comes days after operatives of the Inspector-General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team arrested a Port Harcourt–based medical doctor and pastor, Dr. Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, in connection with the alleged plot.

Security sources said Gbeneol, founder of Life Forte Chapel Church, was apprehended after investigators intercepted a recorded phone conversation purportedly between him and Danagogo.

The discussion reportedly referenced plans to engage Israeli nationals to execute the assassination and allegedly included suggestions to seek funding from Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

“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.

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.

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.

Sources also said the Police is taking the investigation seriously following the political crisis in Rivers State.

(The Nation, but headline rejigged)

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