The Rivers State Police Command has formally invited Chief Dr. Tammy Danagogo, the immediate past Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), for questioning in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
The invitation, echoed across several Nigerian news platforms and social media, follows the earlier arrest of Port Harcourt-based pastor and medical doctor, Dr. Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, founder of Life Forte Chapel.
Authorities say Gbeneol was detained by operatives attached to the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team after surveillance allegedly captured a telephone conversation between him and Danagogo.
In the intercepted call — details of which have not been publicly released in full by the police — the individuals reportedly discussed enlisting Israeli operatives to carry out the assassination of the former Rivers State governor, who remains a dominant political figure in the state despite holding a federal appointment in Abuja.
The development marks a sharp escalation in the long-running political feud between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The rift, which began shortly after Fubara’s 2023 inauguration as governor (with Wike’s backing), has led to repeated crises in the Rivers State House of Assembly, defections among political figures, and accusations of interference in state governance.
Danagogo, who served as SSG under Fubara before stepping down and who previously held the position of Minister of Sports under former President Goodluck Jonathan, has repeatedly and vehemently denied any involvement in the alleged plot.
In a statement issued earlier this month through his Special Assistant, Barrister Obele Briggs, Danagogo described the accusations as “baseless, false, malicious, and deliberately fabricated” to tarnish his reputation.
He emphasized that he has never participated in any discussion, meeting, or plan involving violence or assassination, and affirmed his commitment to peace, the rule of law, and the stability of Rivers State.
“I am not hiding or at large,” the statement quoted him as saying.
“I remain at my residence and am fully open and willing to cooperate with the police or any law enforcement agency if formally invited.”
Multiple reports from early January indicated that security agencies were initially searching for Danagogo following Gbeneol’s arrest, with some outlets claiming he had gone underground.
However, Danagogo publicly countered those claims, insisting he was readily available.
As of January 12, 2026, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the invitation for questioning but has not released further details on the status of the investigation, the authenticity of the leaked audio, or whether Danagogo has presented himself to investigators.
No official charges have been filed against him or Gbeneol at this time.
Political observers in Rivers State view the episode as symptomatic of the deepening divide between pro-Wike loyalists and supporters of Governor Fubara.
Wike has repeatedly boasted that “nobody in Rivers State can push me out,” while critics accuse him of attempting to control state affairs from Abuja.
The case has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with posts ranging from expressions of concern over political violence to partisan accusations linking the alleged plot directly to the governor’s camp.
Neither Governor Fubara nor Minister Wike has issued public comments on the latest police invitation as of this report.
The Rivers State Police Command has urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information while investigations continue.
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This story is developing, and further updates are expected as Danagogo responds to the police summons and more details emerge from the ongoing probe.
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