The Bayelsa State Police Command has intensified its investigation into the death of Patrick Peresoudei by interrogating four personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and declaring a manhunt for the prime suspect, Bodmas Kemepadei, who is currently at large.
The move follows growing public concern over the circumstances surrounding Peresoudei’s death on January 30, which his family and human rights advocates have linked to alleged torture during detention.
Peresoudei, identified as a traditional worshipper, was reportedly involved in a social media dispute with Kemepadei, during which he allegedly made comments interpreted by authorities as a threat to life. The disagreement is believed to have triggered his arrest.
According to police findings, Kemepadei allegedly arrested Peresoudei and his 22-year-old relative, Destiny Peresoudei, with the support of NSCDC officers. The duo were initially taken to the Amassoma Police Division and booked on charges bordering on criminal defamation, cyberstalking and threat to life.
However, controversy erupted after claims emerged that Patrick Peresoudei was taken from Amassoma to Kemepadei’s residence in Yenagoa, where he was allegedly subjected to physical abuse. Family members have maintained that he was released in a weakened state and later died while receiving medical treatment.
The Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, confirmed in a statement that four NSCDC personnel who allegedly accompanied Kemepadei during the arrest have been invited for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.
He added that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) is also interrogating the police team attached to Operation Restore Peace, also known as Operation Puff Adder, to determine the extent of their involvement in the matter.
The command reaffirmed its determination to uncover the truth behind this unfortunate incident, assuring that the investigation would be conducted without bias and that anyone found to have acted outside the law would face prosecution.
Also, the police have activated their intelligence network to track down Kemepadei, described as the prime suspect in the case. Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Iyamah Daniel, urged members of the public to assist security agencies with credible information that could lead to his arrest.
As investigations continue, civil society organisations and members of the public have renewed calls for accountability, stressing the need for justice in the case and for stronger safeguards against alleged abuse by security operatives.
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