The Acting Amananaowei of Amassoma, His Royal Highness Chief Godwill Akedesuo, has condemned the killing of Patrick Peresuodei, a son of the Amassoma community, Bayelsa State, describing the incident as brutal, unlawful, and a grave affront to the peace and values of the kingdom.
Addressing journalists, the traditional ruler accused Mr. Bodmas Kemepadei of allegedly beating Peresuodei to death, an act he said has thrown the entire community into mourning and outrage. He described the killing as gruesome and unacceptable, stressing that it runs contrary to the culture, unity, and long-standing hospitality for which Amassoma is known.
Chief Akedesuo noted that Kemepadei, a graduate of the Niger Delta University, had lived peacefully in Amassoma throughout his undergraduate and postgraduate studies, including a Master’s degree in Religious Studies. According to him, the community accommodated and embraced the suspect without hostility, only for him to allegedly repay that goodwill with violence against a young and promising Amassoma indigene.
The monarch further lamented what he described as a recurring pattern of Amassoma youths losing their lives in avoidable disputes involving people from outside the community. He said the community’s patience, tolerance, and openness had been repeatedly abused, adding that such injustices would no longer be tolerated.
As a result, he declared that the Amassoma community would pursue the matter legally and relentlessly until justice is served. He called on the communities of Koluama 1 in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and Agoro in Sagbama Local Government Area—where the suspect is said to hail from—to produce and hand over Kemepadei to law enforcement authorities. He warned that failure to do so would force Amassoma to take further lawful steps to protect its people and uphold justice.
Chief Akedesuo also announced that Kemepadei has been officially declared an enemy of the Amassoma community. He warned that any Amassoma indigene found associating with him in criminal, cultic, or related activities must immediately desist or face similar sanctions from the community.
He stressed that anyone, whether from Amassoma or elsewhere, found to have participated in the killing would face the full weight of the law, regardless of status or affiliation, noting that the community has what he described as clear and credible evidence.
The traditional ruler confirmed that a formal petition had been submitted to the Commissioner of Police through the community’s legal representatives, leading to Kemepadei and members of his alleged gang being declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force. He assured that the community would stand firmly with the family of the deceased until justice is achieved.
In light of these steps, Chief Akedesuo appealed to the Amassoma Youth Development Association (AYODA) Worldwide and its Yenagoa Chapter to suspend a planned protest at the office of the Commissioner of Police. He assured the youths and the public that the matter is being actively pursued and that all developments would be communicated transparently.ó
He concluded by thanking individuals, groups, and organizations who have shown concern and support, urging all stakeholders to remain calm, law-abiding, and united as efforts continue to ensure justice for Patrick Peresuodei.
