Bayelsa Police intensify probe into death of 24-year-old, interrogate NSCDC personnel

Yenagoa — The Bayelsa State Police Command has intensified its investigation into the death of a 24-year-old man, Patrick Peresoudei, by interrogating four personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in connection with the incident.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Command said the NSCDC personnel allegedly accompanied a man identified as Bodmas Kemepadei to Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, where Peresoudei was arrested.

The police stated that Peresoudei was later taken to Kemepadei’s residence in Yenagoa, where he was allegedly subjected to torture before he died.

The statement, signed by the Command’s Spokesman, DSP Musa Mohammed, disclosed that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) is also questioning the investigating team attached to Operation Restore Peace, also known as Operation Puff Adder.

According to the police, the investigation is aimed at ensuring a thorough, impartial, and transparent probe into the circumstances surrounding 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 said.

The Command further confirmed that its intelligence network has been activated to track and arrest the prime suspect, Bodmas Kemepadei, who is currently at large.

The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, CP Iyamah Daniel, appealed to members of the public to support the investigation by providing useful information that could assist the police.

Reacting to the development, the Bayelsa State NSCDC Spokesman, Solomon Ogbere, confirmed that NSCDC personnel were with Kemepadei on the day of the incident but denied any wrongdoing by the Corps.

Yes, our personnel were with Bodmas Kemepadei because they were attached to him under the Tantita Security Corridor to protect pipeline infrastructure. Upon realising it was a case of cyberbullying, they withdrew and advised him to report the matter to the police. Patrick and his brother were handed over to the police based on that advice,” Ogbere said.

He 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 does not tolerate illegality. We are open to investigation, and the personnel involved have already given statements to the police,” he added.

“We will allow due process. The Commandant frowns at anything illegal, and any personnel found culpable will face the full weight of the law.”

Culled from vanguard