The family of Patrick Peresousdei, who died six days after his release from a detention facility operated by the Bayelsa State Police Command known as Operation Puff Alder, as dismissed the Police narrative surrounding the unfortunate incident.
It will be recalled that Bodmas Kemepadei, who is now at large, a Social Media Aide to Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa led the onslaught that led to the arrest, assault and torture of the 24 year old which allegedly led to his death.
According to the believed family, security operatives of tortured Patrick while in custody, allegations the police have denied.
Patrick’s brother, Destiny Peresousdei, said that they were assaulted and abused Bodmas Kemepadei, alongside personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), before both brothers were handed over to the police that his late brother critically ill following alleged torture by some police officers.
Destiny opened up a few days ago when the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youth Development, Alfred Kemepado Nimizigha, visited the family as part of a fact-finding effort aimed at calming frayed nerves following Patrick’s death.
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,
“We later realised it was Bodmas’ vehicle. My brother went downstairs to open the gate, and immediately Bodmas started slapping him.” Destiny said.
Destiny alleged that four NSCDC officers later joined in the assault and that both of them were forced into a vehicle and driven, not to a police station, but 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.
“They used planks and machetes. We were bleeding before they finally took us to Operation Puff Alder.” he said.
According to Destiny, they 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.
“That was when my uncle rushed him to the hospital.” Destiny said
He explained further that 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.
“Everything we did was on our own.” Destiny said.
The Bayelsa State Police Command had claimed to have provided medical care to the deceased at the Police clinic and later released him to the family.
The olice maintained that Patrick had pre-existing injuries before being handed over to them — a claim Destiny described as “false.”
Mr Solomon Ogbere Bayelsa NSCDC Spokesman in a reaction said that personnel of the Command were attached to Kemepadei for purposes of pipeline 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.
“Upon realising it was a case of cyberbullying they retreated and advised Mr Bodmas to take the matter to the police. And Patrick was handed over to the police based on their advice.
“The NSCDC does not tolerate illegality and we are open to investigation and the personnel involved have already given their statement to the police.
“We will allow due process as the Commandant frowns at anything illegal. NSCDC does not tolerate criminalities and anyone found guilty will face the full weight of the law
Civil society groups have raised concerns over the integrity of ongoing investigation by the Police who is also accused of complicity in the matter arguing that it was against the law of natural justice for one to be a ‘Judge in his own case’
They therefore called for an independent investigation into Patrick’s arrest, detention and death.
