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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
What were the circumstances surrounding the death of 24-year-old Patrick Peresuodei on January 28, 2026? Was he a victim of extra-judicial killing by law enforcement agencies and civilian collaborators? Or was his death self-inflicted from his actions or inactions?
These questions, if answered, would unravel gaps and put to rest the controversy that had surfaced since his death became public knowledge on January 30, 2026, which prompted calls for swift justice by his family and the public.
At the centre of the controversy is an Ijaw cultural enthusiast and Chairman of Ijaw Cultural Heritage Centre, Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei, who has been publicly vilified by some people for being allegedly involved in Peresuodei’s demise.
According investigation, the deceased had made a Facebook post in December 2025, in which he launched a blistering attack on Kemepadei. On January 15, 2026, he doubled up on his attack in a video post, threatening to use an Ak- 47 on Kemepadei to prove that he has no metaphysical powers against bullets.
Kemepadei’s traducers said flowing from the deceased’s actions, he (Kemepadei) allegedly instigated his abduction by NSCDC personnel, who tortured him, and eventually handed him over to the Police when he had been allegedly brutalised.
The brother of the deceased, Destiny, who claimed he was abducted with his brother from their home in Amassoma, pointed accusing fingers at Kemepadei and NSCDC personnel for the death of his brother.
‘’On January 15, at about 5.45 am, someone knocked at our gate. My brother (the deceased) went to open the gate, and immediately Bodmas saw him, he started slapping him. Four officers of the NSCDC joined in the assault and forced us into a vehicle and drove us to Bodmas’s house. At his residence, some boys lifted and threw us on the floor, tied our hands and legs, and beat us with planks and machetes for close to three hours. We were bleeding before we were taken to the Police,’’ he said.
Destiny, who alleged that they were detained at the Police station without any formal charge, said on January 20, the deceased, who was healthy before he was briefly taken away by Police officers, was brought back by the Police in a critical condition.
‘’They just threw my brother at me. He couldn’t talk; he couldn’t raise his arms or neck. Patrick was taken to several public hospitals in Bayelsa State and later referred to tertiary facilities in Port Harcourt. The family struggled to raise funds for treatment. Patrick died on January 28 after developing breathing difficulties. The police never took my brother to a clinic. Everything we did was on our own,” he said.
Kemepadei has, however, picked holes in the narration of Destiny, declaring that he has no hand in the death of Peresuodei.
In a petition dated February 10, through his lawyer, to the Inspector-General of Police, Kemepadei alleged that the deceased had made viral threats against him through Facebook and a video post.
He further stated that the deceased and his brother (Destiny) were arrested at their residence in Amassoma by operatives of the NSCDC and handed over to the Police before Destiny was later released when it was confirmed he was not part of the cyberbullying and stalking the deceased was engaged in.
In his petition, he claimed that while he was expecting the Police to charge the deceased to Court, he was told on January 20th by the Investigating Officer that the deceased was acting ‘’irrationally and had been taken to the hospital.’’
Kemepadei, in his petition, further disclosed that he was told administrative bail would be granted to the deceased, and he would possibly be arraigned on January 26th.
He added that he lost contact with the Police and the deceased until news of his death became public.
The Bayelsa Police Command, in its first statement, by the Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, on the issue stated that though Kemepadei and four NSCDC operatives brought the deceased and his brother to the Police station, they were, however, released because of the bruises on their bodies.
‘’ Upon their arrival at the station, bruises were reportedly seen on the bodies of the suspects by the Police. However, due to the seriousness of the allegation, an investigation commenced immediately. Statements were obtained from the suspects, but Peresuodei Ondutimi Abbah ‘M’, now deceased, was observed not to be coherent in his statement and was taken to the Police Clinic for medical examination and treatment. At the hospital, the attending doctor advised that the suspect be released to his relatives for proper medical attention. Subsequently, the suspects were released to a family member, one Charles Edure.
‘’However, about two weeks after their release, reports surfaced on social media alleging that Peresuodei Ondutimi Abbah, who was released earlier, died on 30th January, 2026. The Command should not be dragged into this allegation of murder on social media platforms,’’ Mohammed said.
The Police, which disclosed that it has launched a manhunt for Kemepadei and his cohorts in another statement signed by Mohammed, confirmed that it has commended the interrogation of four personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) who allegedly accompanied Bodmas Kemepadei to Amassoma community, where Patrick Peresuodei 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 remain committed to conducting a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Patrick Peresuodei’’ it added.
Governor Douye Diri, speaking on the issue, directed the Police to expedite action on the investigation for immediate prosecution.
“Patrick Peresuodei’s death is another issue we have on our hands, and I have been briefed by my Commissioner for Youth. I have also directed my Commissioner for Justice to take over the matter. It is a case of murder, and we want a diligent investigation to unravel those who carried out the act. The process must be expedited so that all those culpable face the law,’’ Diri said.
In Amassoma, the family of the deceased appealed that well -meaning Bayelsans should intervene and ensure Kemepadei submits himself to the law.
Speaking when the Founder of Reuben Initiative for Good Leadership, Pastor Reuben Wilson, visited the family in Amassoma, Destiny Peresuodei said the family is eager to get justice.
‘’We cannot say much because the matter is now in the hands of the government. What we want is for Bodmas Kemepadei to come out openly and report himself to the Police,’’ he said.
There is, however, another twist to the saga with Kemepadei’s petition to the IGP, which passed a vote of no confidence on the Bayelsa State Police Command and demanded that the case be transferred to Abuja or handled by an independent investigative team.
The petition stated that the death had sparked widespread controversy with allegations of police complicity and counter-claims attempting to implicate Kemepadei ‘’as a prime suspect.”
The petition averred that allowing the Bayelsa State Police Command to lead the investigations would undermine credibility, as officers of the Command are already subjects of public suspicion.
‘’ To guarantee Independence, transparency, and fairness, the investigation should not be led by the State Command. The IGP should take over the case to constitute a special investigative team.’’
The petition stated that it is crucial for the IGP to grant the request so as to restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and ensure justice for the deceased and the family.
Kemepadei, in the petition, insisted on his innocence and assured that he is ready to make himself available to give his own account of events.
Copies of the petition have also been forwarded to the Bayelsa State Attorney- General and the Commissioner of Police.
Regardless of the IGP’s decision on whether to take over the case or set up an independent investigative panel to crack the case, the fact remains that this is one case the Police cannot afford to bungle, as the public expects results.
