The killing of a 24-year-old young man, Patrick Peresuodei, through beating and torture has sparked anger in Bayelsa State.

Peresuodei was arrested together with his brother, Destiny, by men of the Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps (NCDSC) on the orders of an influential social media critic.

They were allegedly abducted from their home at around 6 am on January 15 by the social media influencer identified as Bodmas Kemepadei, in the company of other youths, including four members of the NSCDC.

The death of the young man is currently generating tension and fears of reprisal attacks, while lawyers and civil society groups have called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Patrick’s arrest, detention and death, amid renewed concerns about alleged abuses by specialised police units in the state.

Narrating his ordeal, Destiny, the younger brother who survived, said they were beaten thoroughly and taken to the house of Bodmas, where they were tied up and beaten to a pulp.

He said they were beaten with plank and machete for over three hours before they were taken to the police station.

He said they were locked up at police stations for days and tortured severely on a complaint from the said Bodmas over alleged cyber bullying and threat to life.

He said that a day before their release, his late brother was taken out of the cell for over two hours, and by the time he returned, his body was covered in bruises, in severe pain, and unable to speak.

He accused Operation Puff Alder security operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command of torturing Patrick while in custody, allegations the police have vehemently denied.

In a 20-minute video obtained by The Guardian, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youth Development, Alfred Kemepado Nimizigha, is seen visiting the family as part of a fact-finding effort to calm tensions following Patrick’s death. In the video, Destiny disputes police claims that Patrick was already injured before his arrest.

“My name is Destiny Peresousdei, and it was on January 15, 2026, around 5:45 a.m., when someone knocked at our gate,” Destiny said. “We later realised it was Bodmas’ vehicle. My brother went downstairs to open the gate, and immediately Bodmas started slapping him.”

Destiny alleged that four NSCDC officers later joined in the assault and that both brothers were forced into a vehicle and driven, not to a police station, but first to Kemepadei’s residence.

“At Bodmas’ house, some boys came out, lifted us, threw us on the floor, tied our hands and legs, and beat us for close to three hours,” he said. “They used planks and machetes. We were bleeding before they finally took us to Operation Puff Alder.”

According to Destiny, the brothers were detained without a formal statement or petition and held for several days. He said Patrick appeared healthy when he was briefly separated from him on January 20, but returned later in critical condition.

“They just threw my brother to me. He couldn’t talk, he couldn’t raise his arms or neck,” Destiny said. “That was when my uncle rushed him to the hospital.”

Patrick was taken to several public hospitals in Bayelsa State and later referred to tertiary facilities in Port Harcourt, but Destiny said 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,” Destiny said. “Everything we did was on our own.”

The Bayelsa State Police Command has not publicly responded in detail to the allegations. In the video, the police officials maintained that Patrick had pre-existing injuries before being handed over to them — a claim Destiny described as “false.”

Before Destiny’s expose, the police, in a statement signed by DSP Musa Mohammed, the Police Public Relations Officer, on behalf of the State Commissioner of Police, denied any complicity in the death of the young man.

The spokesman said, “The attention of the Bayelsa State Police Command has been drawn to viral videos circulating on social media platforms concerning the alleged murder of Odutua Patrick Peresuodei ‘M’, aged 24 years, of Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The development has generated widespread public interest and mixed reactions across the state.

“In view of the foregoing, the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor psc, IICFIP, foosi has directed a full-scale investigation with a view to unravelling the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensuring that justice is served.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that on 15th January, 2026, at about 1800 hours, one Bodmas Prince Kemepade ‘M’ of ICHC Centre, Tenacious Street, Edepie, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, allegedly arrested and brought one Peresuodei Ondutimi Abbah ‘M’, aged 24 years and Peresuodei Destiny ‘M’, aged 22 years, both of Amassoma Community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, to their residence.

“The alleged suspects were brought in by security personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over an alleged threat to life posted on Facebook.

“Upon their arrival at the station, the police reportedly observed bruises on the bodies of the suspects. However, due to the seriousness of the allegation, the investigation commenced immediately. Statements were obtained from the suspects, but Peresuodei Ondutimi Abbah ‘M’, now deceased, was observed to be incoherent 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.”

He said the command has since launched a manhunt for Bodmas and his cohorts. He appealed to the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from spreading unverified information that could hinder investigations or inflame public tensions. (Guardian)

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