The Bayelsa State Police Command has begun interrogating four personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the death of Patrick Peresoudei, following widespread public outrage and calls for justice.
Peresoudei died on January 30, after allegedly sustaining severe injuries during what his family and rights activists described as an unlawful detention.
The deceased, a traditional worshipper, was said to have engaged one Bodmas Kemepadei in a social media exchange where he challenged him to “test an AK-47” on him. The comment was reportedly interpreted as a threat to life.
Kemepadei allegedly arrested Peresoudei alongside his 22-year-old relative, Peresoudei Destiny, with the assistance of NSCDC personnel. Both men were taken to the Amassoma Police Division and charged with criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and threat to life.
The incident gained renewed attention after social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, released a video on Monday amplifying calls for justice. Quoting family sources, he claimed Peresoudei was brutally beaten while in custody, leaving him in critical condition before he eventually died at the hospital.
Confirming the development in a statement issued on Tuesday via X, the Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, said the four NSCDC officers being questioned allegedly accompanied Kemepadei to Amassoma Community, where Peresoudei was arrested.
According to the police, Peresoudei was later taken to Kemepadei’s residence in Yenagoa, where he was reportedly tortured before his death.
The statement added that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) was also interrogating members of the investigating team attached to Operation Restore Peace, also known as Operation Puff Adder.
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The police assured the public that the investigation would be comprehensive, transparent, and impartial.
“All suspects alleged to have been involved in the incident will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law if found culpable,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the command disclosed that efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the prime suspect, Bodmas Kemepadei, who is currently on the run.
The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, CP Iyamah Daniel, appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could aid the investigation.
