The family of Anonymous Whistle Blower, 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,” decrying his “wrongful and inhumane detention by the Nigeria Police.”
Speaking at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre in Port Harcourt, the family said they were unaware of the arrest of their son until the following day due to the hotel manager’s involvement, accusing him of colluding with the Police.
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 that “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 added that while in Port Harcourt, PIDOM was falsely labelled as a “notorious kidnapper and armed robber” by Police officers, noting that “during his transfer, this charge was broadcast to passengers and the public at both the Port Harcourt and Abuja airports.
“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 the 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.”
