Home Human Rights Family, Ijaw Leaders Demand Immediate, Unconditional Release Of PIDOM, Accuse Police of Unlawful Detention And Abuse
Human RightsNews

Family, Ijaw Leaders Demand Immediate, Unconditional Release Of PIDOM, Accuse Police of Unlawful Detention And Abuse

836

The family of Isaac Tamunoibifiri Bristol-Alagbariya, believed to be behind the famous X handle PIDOMNIGERIA, alongside Ijaw veterans and stakeholders, have called for his immediate and unconditional release of their son following the wrongful and inhumane detention by the Nigeria Police.

The demand was made during a press briefing at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre in Port Harcourt.

According to the family, Bristol was arrested on August 5 by police officers in mufty who stormed the Osmosis Hotel, near Paflox filling station on Ada Road, at approximately 1:12 p.m. The officers, arriving in two Lexus RX350 SUVs, broke into his hotel room and took him to an undisclosed location in what the family describes as a “Gestapo-style” operation.

The family said they were unaware of the arrest until the following day due to the hotel manager’s involvement, whom they accused of colluding with the police. After receiving the information, they immediately searched for PIDOM at various police stations. Despite denials from police units, they later discovered that he had been held at the Mini-Okoro Police Station’s anti-kidnapping unit on Old Aba Road.

On August 10, 2024, PIDOM was reportedly transferred to the National Cyber Crime Centre (NCCC) in Abuja. The family stated that he was subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse while in police custody in Port Harcourt, including being handcuffed, beaten, and fed only a single meal per day.

It is pertinent to state that without trial nor conviction, Isaac was placed on handcuffs, beaten and tortured with barely one miserly meal per day at the Mini-Okoro anti kidnapping unit in Port Harcourt. Officers of the anti kidnapping unit deliberately subjected Isaac to physical and psychological torture, deliberate defamation, libel and all sorts and manner of dehumanisation and indignities,” they said.

They added that while in Port Harcourt, PIDOM was falsely labelled as a “notorious kidnapper and armed robber” by police officers. During his transfer, this charge was broadcast to passengers and the public at both the Port Harcourt and Abuja airports.

Dramatically, the charge on Isaac Tamunoibifiri Bristol-Alagbariya had miraculously transmuted to; Unlawful possession, leakage of classified documents and cyber related offences with the change in location. This is a wonder, only the Nigeria Police can pull off, ” they said.

“It is, however, very worrisome and extremely disturbing that some very bad, corrupt and morally bereft and unfit elements within the Nigeria Police Force anti-kidnapping unit made no attempt at pretext, in the crass display of their petty banality and moral emptiness, when in less than 18hours after Isaac’s arrest, some officers were spotted adorning shoes, perfumes, wrist watch and designer clothes carted away from his hotel room. This is beyond basal and should not be condoned nor accepted within the Nigeria Police Force nor in any public establishment within our Country.”

The family and Ijaw stakeholders expressed deep concerns over the blatant violation of Isaac’s rights, pointing out that under Nigerian law, every citizen is presumed innocent until proven guilty. They said Bristol had been treated as guilty, with his rights and dignity violated.

Further violating his rights, West Africa Weekly reported that PIDOM is set to be moved to an underground detention facility run by the Office of the National Security Adviser after being denied access to his family, friends and legal team.

Read More:

SOS ALERT: Nigerian Whistle Blower, PIDOM Is Missing

NPF Admits PIDOMNigeria Abduction, Says They Got Over 14 Petitions By Individuals, Agencies, and 2 Governors

About The Author

Related Articles

Ghana's transit trade
NewsTravel

Ghana Defends Decision to Accept U.S. Deportees, Rejects Claims of Endorsing Trump’s Immigration Policy

Ghana’s government has defended its decision to accept West African migrants deported...

In a ministerial meeting of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) held in Bamako on January 16, 2025, key decisions emerging from the session include establishing a Regional Investment Bank and launching transformative infrastructure projects across member states.
News

Niamey Hosts Second Meeting Of Justice Ministers of CSS, Discussions Focus on Judicial Reforms and Regional Integration

Niamey on Monday played host to the second meeting of justice ministers...

News

Former Niger Minister Ibrahim Yacoubou Questioned Over Alleged Human Sacrifice Case

The Attorney General at the Niamey Court of Appeal has confirmed that...

Amusan
News

Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan Wins Silver In 100m Hurdles At World Championships

Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan has clinched the silver medal in the women’s 100m...