The Bayelsa State Police Command has escalated its investigation into the controversial death of Patrick Peresoudei, a 24-year-old resident of Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, by interrogating four personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Peresoudei was hounded a very annoying unfavourable social media post by a social media aide to Bayelsa Governor, Bodmas Kemepado.

According to a press statement released by the command on Tuesday, the NSCDC officers allegedly accompanied a man identified as Bodmas Kemepadei to Amassoma, where Peresoudei was arrested. He was subsequently taken to Kemepadei’s residence in Yenagoa, where he was reportedly subjected to torture before his death.

The statement, signed by DSP Musa Mohammed, Police Public Relations Officer for the Commissioner of Police, revealed that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) is also questioning the investigative team attached to Operation Restore Peace (also known as Operation Puff Adder).

The police emphasised their commitment to a thorough, impartial, and transparent probe into the circumstances leading to Peresoudei’s death. “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 read.

The prime suspect, Bodmas Kemepadei—who is currently at large—is the subject of an active manhunt, with the command activating its intelligence network to locate and apprehend him.

CP Iyamah Daniel, the Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, appealed to the public for continued support and understanding during the investigation. He urged residents to provide any useful information that could assist the police.

Responding to the police statement on the ongoing police investigation into Peresoudei’s death, the Bayelsa State NSCDC spokesman, Solomon Ogbere, stated that the officers had been assigned to protect Bodmas Kemepadei under the Tatitan Security corridor – a security arrangement for pipeline infrastructure protection.

“Yes, our personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were with Bodmas Kemepadei on the day of the incident because they were attached to him based on Tatitan Security corridor to protect pipeline infrastructures and upon realising it was a case of cyberbullying they retreated and advised Mr Bodmas to take the matter to the police. Patrick and his brother were handed over to the police based on their advice.

Ogbere emphasised that the NSCDC does not condone any form of illegality and is fully cooperating with the police investigation.

“The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) does not tolerate illegality and we are open to investigation and the personnel involved have already given a statement to the police,” he said.

“We will allow due process as the Commandant frowns at anything illegal. NSCDC does not tolerate criminality and personnel found guilty will face the full weight of the law.”

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