Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State — Tension and anger have gripped parts of Bayelsa State after 24-year-old Patrick Peresousdei died six days after his release from a detention facility operated by the Bayelsa State Police Command, with his family alleging he was tortured while in custody. The incident has sparked demands for justice and calls for an independent investigation.
Patrick and his younger brother were reportedly arrested on January 15, 2026, following an incident that drew the involvement of a social media figure identified as Bodmas Kemepadei, along with personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Family accounts say the brothers were beaten and taken into custody — first to Kemepadei’s residence before being handed over to police — without formal charges or due process.
Eyewitness accounts and family statements allege that Patrick was in good health when initially detained, but later returned to his brother in critical condition, unable to walk, speak or raise his arms. He was subsequently taken to several hospitals in Bayelsa and later referred to tertiary facilities in Port Harcourt for further treatment, but he died on January 28, 2026, after developing breathing difficulties. The family says they struggled to fund his medical care and that the police never facilitated proper medical attention.
The Bayelsa State Police Command has denied torturing Patrick while in custody, asserting instead that he was brought in with pre-existing injuries. They have, however, ordered a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death and are questioning four NSCDC personnel alleged to have been involved in the events leading to his arrest and detention. Police also said the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) is probing the matter and that anyone found culpable will be prosecuted under the law.
Outrage has spread beyond the family, with youths in Bayelsa staging protests at police stations, demanding justice and accountability as the community fears that alleged brutality may have contributed directly to Patrick’s death. Protesters called for an independent investigation and the prosecution of all those responsible.
Civil society and rights groups have echoed these demands, urging transparency and due process in the police inquiry. The controversial death has drawn attention to broader concerns about police conduct, custodial treatment, and due process in law enforcement operations in the state.
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