Operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have 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 (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Security sources said Gbeneol, the founder of Life Forte Chapel Church in Port Harcourt, was arrested following intelligence reports linking him to an alleged assassination plan amid the ongoing political rift between Wike and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
According to the sources, the arrest was triggered by the interception of a telephone conversation between Gbeneol and the immediate past Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo. In the recorded call, the duo allegedly discussed plans to engage Israeli nationals to carry out the killing of the former Rivers State governor, now FCT minister.
The conversation reportedly ended with a proposal to approach Governor Fubara for funding to execute the alleged plan.
“The content of the call was considered a grave national security threat, which necessitated immediate action,” a senior security source said.
Following the intelligence report, operatives of the IRT, led by Commissioner of Police Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, arrested Gbeneol. He has reportedly been in detention for about two weeks.
Security sources also disclosed that efforts are ongoing to arrest Danagogo, who is said to have gone into hiding since the matter became public.
Confirming the development, the Nigeria Police said the suspect is currently in custody. Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, told SaharaReporters on Monday, “He is in our custody. Investigation is ongoing.”
The police declined to provide further details on the suspect or the alleged offence, but sources said detectives are working to establish the full circumstances of the case and identify possible accomplices.
