Leaders and youth groups from Amassoma issued an urgent call for justice Friday following the alleged killing of a promising young resident, identified as Patrick Peresuode, an incident the community describes as brutal and unlawful.

The Amassoma Youth Development Association (AYODA) Worldwide, together with the Southern Ijaw Federated Youth Council, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Ogboin Clan, AYODA Yenagoa chapter and key community stakeholders convened an emergency meeting to review the circumstances surrounding Peresuode’s death and to coordinate a response.

In a sharply worded communique issued after the meeting, the youths unanimously condemned the actions of a local man identified as Apst. Bodmas Kemepadei, alleging he unlawfully took Peresuode’s life. The statement described the killing as “unacceptable, inhumane, and a direct affront to peace, justice, and the collective values of the Amassoma people.”

Following deliberations, the youth leaders formally presented a notice to His Royal Highness Chief Godwin Akedesuo and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), demanding immediate escalation of the matter to the state Commissioner of Police. They also called on community authorities to ensure that Kemepadei is produced without delay to explain his actions and “face the full weight of the law.”

AYODA President Comr. Timipa Joel Ogbofa said the community will allow a three-day window for Kemepadei, personally or via his community, to present himself to authorities. “Failure to do so will compel the youths to consider further lawful steps to demand justice,” the statement warned.

The meeting also revisited a similar, unresolved killing of an Amassoma youth last year, a case the president said remains opaque and unaddressed. That unresolved matter, delegates said, underscores a worrying pattern of violence and impunity affecting Amassoma’s young people.

“Our youths will no longer tolerate the continuous loss of innocent lives and the culture of silence that follows such crimes,” Comr. Ogbofa told the assembly. He urged law enforcement and traditional authorities to act swiftly and decisively to prevent escalation and restore confidence in the rule of law.

As the three-day ultimatum elapses, the community has signaled readiness to pursue lawful actions to secure accountability and to press for transparent investigations. Local peace advocates called for calm while reiterating that justice must be both pursued and visibly served to deter further violence.

Justice for Patrick Peresuode. Justice for Amassoma.