The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a Port Harcourt–based medical doctor and pastor, Dr. Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, over an alleged plot to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in a development that has further heightened tensions in Rivers State’s deepening political crisis.
Security sources said that operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team arrested Gbeneol, founder of Life Forte Chapel Church, following what was described as a “high-risk intelligence intercept” involving a phone conversation between him and the immediate past Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo.
According to the sources, the intercepted call allegedly contained discussions on plans to bring in foreign—specifically Israeli—nationals to execute the assassination, with further talks centred on approaching Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for funding to carry out the operation.
A senior security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the content of the conversation was treated as a serious national security threat, prompting swift action by the police.
“The intelligence was considered grave. It posed a direct threat to a serving minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That was what triggered the immediate intervention of the IRT,” the source said.
Following the intelligence report, the IRT, led by Commissioner of Police Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, reportedly swung into action and arrested Gbeneol. He has been in detention for about two weeks, it was learnt.
Sources further disclosed that security agencies have intensified efforts to arrest Danagogo, who is said to have gone underground since the alleged plot was uncovered.
When contacted, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed the arrest but declined to provide details on the allegations.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, tsais “he is in our custody. Investigation is ongoing.”
Although the police did not disclose the identity of the suspect or specifics of the alleged offence, insiders said detectives are expanding the investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case, including possible accomplices and the veracity of claims involving foreign actors.
The arrest comes amid a fierce and lingering political battle between Wike and his successor, Governor Fubara, a rift that has polarised Rivers State’s political landscape and drawn national attention.
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