Fresh controversy has erupted in Rivers State following the arrest of a Port Harcourt-based medical doctor and pastor over an alleged plot to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The development has further intensified the already bitter political feud between Wike and the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, raising serious national security concerns and triggering widespread reactions across political and security circles.
Security sources revealed 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 allegations linking him to a plan to kill the former Rivers State governor. The arrest, according to insiders, followed the interception of a telephone conversation believed to have posed a grave threat to national security.
The intercepted phone call reportedly involved Dr. Gbeneol and the immediate past Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo. Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that during the conversation, the suspects allegedly discussed plans to engage foreign nationals, specifically Israelis, to execute the assassination of the FCT Minister. The discussion allegedly progressed to plans of approaching Governor Siminalayi Fubara for financial support to carry out the operation.
Security officials described the content of the conversation as deeply alarming, prompting swift action by the IRT. A senior security source disclosed that the intelligence gathered was considered too dangerous to ignore, leading to the immediate authorization of the arrest operation.
Following the intelligence breakthrough, operatives of the IRT, led by Commissioner of Police Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, reportedly moved in and arrested Dr. Gbeneol. The suspect has been in detention for approximately two weeks as investigations continue. Authorities are said to be working round the clock to uncover the full scope of the alleged plot, identify all those involved, and determine whether the plan advanced beyond discussions.
Further revelations from security sources indicate that efforts are ongoing to apprehend Dr. Tammy Danagogo, who is alleged to have gone into hiding since the matter became public. His sudden disappearance has fueled speculation and heightened suspicions surrounding his alleged role in the plot.
The Nigeria Police Force has officially confirmed the arrest of the suspect. Speaking on Monday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the individual is currently in police custody and that investigations are ongoing. However, he declined to provide additional details regarding the suspect’s identity, the nature of the allegations, or the progress of the investigation.
“He is in our custody. Investigation is ongoing,” Hundeyin stated, maintaining the police’s cautious approach to the sensitive case.
Although official details remain limited, sources close to the investigation revealed that detectives are focusing on establishing the credibility of the intercepted conversation, tracing communication records, and identifying possible local and international accomplices. There are also indications that security agencies are examining whether the alleged plot is connected to the ongoing political power struggle in Rivers State.
The arrest has inevitably drawn attention to the long-standing political crisis in Rivers, particularly the deep rift between Wike and Governor Fubara. Since leaving office as governor and assuming his role as FCT Minister, Wike has remained a dominant political force in the state. His influence within the political structure of Rivers has continued to generate tension, especially amid allegations of power tussles, loyalty battles, and internal party conflicts.
Political observers note that the alleged assassination plot, whether proven or not, reflects the dangerously high level of political hostility currently gripping Rivers State. Many have expressed concern that political disagreements have increasingly taken on a violent undertone, posing serious risks to democratic stability and public safety.
The development has also sparked widespread reactions on social media, with Nigerians expressing shock that a cleric and medical professional could be linked to such grave allegations. Others have called for a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation to ensure that justice is served and that innocent individuals are not wrongly implicated.
Supporters of Wike have described the alleged plot as evidence of how far political rivals are willing to go to silence him, while critics have urged restraint and warned against jumping to conclusions before investigations are concluded. Civil society groups have also weighed in, calling on security agencies to ensure that the case is handled with professionalism and without political interference.
As investigations continue, the arrest has added another layer of complexity to Rivers State’s fragile political environment. Analysts warn that if not properly managed, the situation could escalate tensions further, undermine public trust in political leadership, and distract from governance and development in the state.
For now, all eyes remain on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies as Nigerians await further details on the alleged plot, the fate of other suspects, and the broader implications of the case. Whether the allegations will lead to formal charges or unravel a wider conspiracy remains to be seen, but the incident has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape.
