The Bayelsa State Police Command has commenced the interrogation of four officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps over their alleged involvement in the death of Patrick Peresoudei.
The move follows widespread public anger and renewed demands for accountability after Peresoudei died on January 30, with relatives and rights advocates alleging that he succumbed to injuries sustained during an illegal detention.
Peresoudei, identified as a traditional worshipper, was said to have engaged in a social media exchange with one Bodmas Kemepadei, during which he allegedly dared him to “test an AK-47” on him — a remark interpreted as a threat to life.
Following the exchange, Kemepadei reportedly arrested Peresoudei alongside his 22-year-old relative, Destiny Peresoudei, with the support of NSCDC operatives.
Both men were subsequently taken to the Amassoma Police Division, where they were accused of criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and threat to life.
Public attention to the case intensified after social media personality Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, released a video on Monday amplifying calls for justice.
Quoting family members, Otse alleged that Peresoudei was brutally assaulted while in custody, leaving him in critical condition after his release and leading to his eventual death at a hospital.
In a statement shared on Tuesday via X, the Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, disclosed that the four NSCDC officers being questioned allegedly accompanied Kemepadei to Amassoma Community, where Peresoudei was arrested, taken to Kemepadei’s residence in Yenagoa, and allegedly tortured before his death.
The statement read, “In furtherance of the ongoing investigation into the death of Patrick Peresoudei, the Bayelsa State Police Command has commenced the interrogation of four personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who allegedly accompanied Bodmas Kemepadei to Amassoma Community, where Patrick Peresoudei was arrested, taken to the residence of Bodmas Kemepadei in Yenagoa, and reportedly subjected to torture prior to his death.
“The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) is also interrogating the Investigating Team attached to Operation Restore Peace (Operation Puff Adder).”
The police command reassured members of the public that the probe would be conducted thoroughly, objectively, and openly.
“All suspects who are alleged to have been involved in the incident will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law if found culpable,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the police said 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 for public cooperation and urged residents to volunteer credible information that could aid the investigation.
