The Rivers State Police Command has invited a former Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tammy Danagogo, for questioning in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The invitation follows the emergence of a leaked phone conversation allegedly involving Danagogo and a suspect currently in police custody.
Although the police invitation letter sighted did not state the specific reason for the summons, sources familiar with the development claim it is linked to an ongoing investigation into the alleged plot.
An anonymous source, who requested not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, alleged that the invitation was connected to a monitored phone call between Danagogo and a Port Harcourt–based pastor, Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, who has already been arrested by the police.
“Danagogo and Pastor Tombari were allegedly discussing a plot to invite Israelis to come and kill the Minister,” the source claimed. “The leaked phone conversation is already with the police, and that is why Danagogo has been invited for questioning.”
When contacted for official confirmation, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringo Koko, said she would verify the development and respond accordingly.
“Let me confirm and I will get back to you,” she said.
The police had earlier confirmed the arrest of Pastor Tombari Joseph Gbeneol in connection with the alleged assassination plan.
According to security sources, his arrest followed the interception of a phone conversation between him and Danagogo, during which they were said to have discussed recruiting Israeli nationals to execute the alleged attack on the former Rivers State governor.
READ ALSO: APC secretary’s ultimatum to Wike signals deeper power struggle as Rivers crisis deepens
Investigators further allege that the conversation ended with a suggestion to seek financial backing from Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to fund the purported operation. Neither Governor Fubara nor Danagogo has publicly responded to the allegation at the time of filing this report.
Security analysts caution that while the allegations are grave, they remain subject to thorough investigation and due process.
A security expert familiar with counterintelligence operations noted that intercepted communications often form the basis for preliminary invitations and arrests, but must be corroborated with additional evidence.
“An invitation for questioning does not amount to guilt,” the analyst said. “It is a standard investigative step, especially in high-profile cases involving alleged threats to national figures. What matters is whether the authorities can substantiate the claims beyond intercepted conversations.”
Legal experts also stressed the importance of presumption of innocence.
A constitutional lawyer explained that “until charges are formally filed and proven in court, all parties mentioned in the investigation are entitled to their fundamental rights, including fair hearing and protection from trial by media.”