Fresh political tension has gripped Rivers State following the dramatic arrest of a popular Port Harcourt-based pastor over an alleged conspiracy to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Pastor in Police Custody Over Grave Security Threat
Pastor Tombari Gbeneol, the founder of Life Forte Chapel Church in Port Harcourt, is currently being held by the police. The arrest was reportedly carried out two weeks ago by operatives attached to the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
Benjamin Hundeyin, the police public relations officer, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. He stated that the cleric is in custody and that an investigation is actively ongoing. Hundeyin indicated that more details would be provided to the public upon the conclusion of the probe.
Intercepted Phone Call Triggers Arrest
Security sources disclosed that the arrest was precipitated by the interception of a phone conversation. The discussion was allegedly between Pastor Gbeneol and Tammy Danagogo, the immediate past Secretary to the Rivers State Government.
According to the sources, the recorded conversation involved discussions about a plan to bring in an Israeli national to eliminate Wike, who served as Rivers State governor before his appointment as FCT Minister. The content of this call was deemed a serious national security threat, prompting immediate action by the security forces.
In response to the allegations, Danagogo has vehemently denied any involvement. Through a statement issued by his special assistant, Obele Briggs, the former SSG stated he never had such a conversation and affirmed his readiness to present himself to any security agency if invited. He described himself as a law-abiding citizen who served with integrity.
Arrest Occurs Amid Escalating Rivers Political Feud
This development unfolds against the backdrop of a highly publicized and escalating political rift between Minister Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The two political figures have been engaged in a war of words since the Christmas period, with tensions showing no signs of abating.
The governor has faced accusations of disregarding a peace agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu in 2025, intended to resolve the protracted crisis in the state's political landscape. The arrest of a religious figure in connection with a plot against Wike adds a dangerous and unprecedented dimension to this ongoing conflict.
As the police continue their investigation, the nation watches closely, awaiting further official information that could shed more light on the alleged assassination plot and its connections to the volatile politics of Rivers State.
