Facebook Feud to Fatal Beating: Amassoma Youth Dies as Allegations Trail ‘Tompolo Associate’
by Paul Ebi
A violent incident allegedly triggered by an online argument has left a young man dead in Amassoma, Bayelsa State, sparking widespread outrage and renewed calls for swift action by security agencies.
The deceased, identified by family members and community leaders as Patrick Peresuodei, was allegedly abducted from his family home following a dispute on Facebook with Bodmas Prince Kemepadei, who is widely described by locals as an associate of former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
According to multiple accounts from relatives and youth leaders in Amassoma, Peresuodei was forcibly taken from his residence by Kemepadei and a group of men said to be armed. Witnesses allege that Peresuodei was subjected to a severe beating at an undisclosed location before being returned to his family in critical condition.
Family sources say he was rushed to medical facilities in Yenagoa but was reportedly referred onward after doctors assessed his injuries as beyond the capacity of those hospitals. He was later taken to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), where he reportedly slipped into a coma and died days later. His body is said to be in a morgue pending further procedures.
As news of the death spread, anger mounted across Amassoma, with youth groups and community leaders publicly condemning the alleged attack. They accuse the suspect of moving freely and allegedly boasting of protection due to wealth and connections.
“We demand justice for Patrick,” a spokesperson for the Amassoma youths said. “We call on the Bayelsa State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and all relevant authorities to immediately arrest and prosecute Bodmas Kemepadei and anyone involved in this brutal act.”
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Bayelsa State Police Command nor the DSS has issued an official statement confirming arrests or detailing the status of any investigation. However, local sources say security agencies are expected to visit Amassoma to obtain statements, review medical records, and examine eyewitness accounts.
Human rights advocates say the case underscores a troubling pattern in which online disputes escalate into real-world violence in parts of the Niger Delta. They are urging authorities to act transparently and decisively to prevent reprisals and restore public confidence.
Community voices have also appealed for restraint. Several youth leaders cautioned against cultism, vigilantism, and retaliatory violence, stressing that justice must be pursued through lawful means.
“Niger Delta youths must desist from killing ourselves over civil disagreements,” one community activist said. “No individual is above the law. This matter should be properly investigated and judged by the appropriate authorities.”
Family members insist they are ready to cooperate fully with investigators and say surviving relatives can provide detailed evidence surrounding the events leading to Peresuodei’s death. They are calling for a thorough forensic and criminal investigation, accountability for all involved, and protection for witnesses as the probe continues.
For many in Amassoma, the case has become a test of whether justice will prevail regardless of status or influence. As one resident put it, “If truth cannot be spoken without fear, then society itself is at risk.”
