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

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.

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.