Destiny Peresousdei, the younger brother of 24-year-old Patrick Peresousdei, has accused policemen from the Bayelsa State Police Command of torturing his bother and causing his death.
Patrick died last week barely six days after he was release from the Bayelsa State Police Command cell belonging to a police squad, Operation Puff Alder.
While the police have denied the allegation, the issue has already sparked pockets of protests in Yenagoa, the state capital as youths are demanding for investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the death of the young man.
Destiny said he and his brother were initially assaulted and abused by one Bodmas Kemepadei, alongside the personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on the allegation of threat to life before they were handed over to the police.
He added that after a prolonged torture by the policemen, his brother became critically ill.
Speaking when the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youth Development, Alfred Kemepado Nimizigha, visited the deceased family on Tuesday, Destiny disputed police claims that Patrick was already injured before his detention.
He said, “My name is Destiny Peresousdei. On January 15, 2026, around 5.45am, someone knocked on our gate. We later realized that it was Bodmas’ vehicle. My brother and I went downstairs to open the gate, and immediately Bodmas started slapping my brother.
“Four NSCDC officers, who were with Bodmas later joined and assaulted the two of us and we were forced into their vehicle and driven out to Bodmas’ residence.
“At Bodmas’ house, some boys lifted us from the car and threw us on the floor, tied our hands and legs, and beat us. The finally took us to the office of the Operation Puff Alder of the Nigeria Police.”
According to Destiny, the brothers were detained without a formal statement or petition, beaten and held for several days. He said Patrick and him were briefly separated on January 20, adding that when he returned later he met his brother in more critical condition.
“They just threw my brother to me. He couldn’t talk, he couldn’t raise his arms; that was when my uncle rushed him to hospital.
“Patrick was taken to several public hospitals in Bayelsa State and later referred to a facilities in Port Harcourt. Our family struggled to raise funds for treatment, but 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.
Civil society groups in Bayelsa State have since called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Patrick’s arrest, detention and death.
However, the police command claimed that Patrick was brought to police station wounded.
Police spokesman in Bayelsa State, DSP Musa Muhammad, in a statement said the late young man was accused of threat to life by Bodmas Kemepadei.
He said the the Commissioner of Police, Mr Iyamah Daniel Edebor, has ordered an investigation to unravel the cause of Patrick’s death.
He said, “Preliminary investigation reveal that on 15th January, 2026, at about 1800 hours, one Bodmas Prince Kemepade 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. The suspects were brought in company of the personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over an alleged threat to life post on his Facebook.
“Upon their arrival at the station, bruises were seen on the bodies of the suspects by the police. However, due to the seriousness of the allegation, investigation commenced immediately. Statements were obtained from the suspects, but Peresuodei Ondutimi Abbah, 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. But the police has since launched a manhunt for Bodmas and his cohorts.
“The Bayelsa State Police Command appeals to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of hindering investigations or inflaming public tension,” DSP Muhammad said.
But the Bayelsa State Government has vowed to ensure that necessary legal steps are taken to ensure that anyone found culpable in the death of Patrick is held accountable through due process and brought to justice.
The Bayelsa State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Biriyai Dambo, in a statement, said the state government is working closely with the police and other relevant security agencies to ensure a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of the deceased.
He said, “While investigations are at an advanced stage (including successfully obtaining critical information and statements of potential witnesses), we assure you that the Government of Bayelsa State will leave no stone unturned in effectively investigating to unearth the truth in this matter.
“Going forward, His Excellency, the Governor, has directed that the Office of the Honorable Attorney General of the State should take over the matter upon the conclusion of investigation, for onward prosecution of same.
“The Office of the Honorable Attorney-General urges members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from spreading unverified information that could prejudice investigations or escalate tensions.”
