Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has demanded a thorough investigation into the attack on his cousin, Don Pedro Obaseki, who was allegedly assaulted and stripped naked by suspected political thugs in Benin City on Sunday.
Don Pedro Obaseki, an ace playwright and producer, and former CEO of DAAR Communications, was reportedly attacked while playing football at Uwa Primary School. A video of the incident circulating on social media shows him being humiliated by the assailants before he was allegedly abducted and taken to the Oba of Benin’s palace.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers forced Obaseki to kneel at the palace gate, claiming they had brought an “Oghion” (enemy) of the Oba. Palace chiefs, however, warned the group against causing unrest, noting that the Oba was on his way to the Holy Arousa Cathedral for a thanksgiving service marking the end of the Igue festival.
One of the chiefs cautioned the thugs against provoking trouble on such a significant cultural day, stressing that the palace would not condone disorder. Despite the objections of the attackers, the chiefs eventually took Obaseki into the palace for his safety.
Reacting in a statement, former Governor Obaseki condemned the incident, describing it as a “grave violation of fundamental human rights and a reckless disregard for the rule of law.”
“I strongly condemn the violent attack on my cousin, Dr Pedro Obaseki, by armed thugs,” he said. “Dr Obaseki, a renowned journalist, was attacked at Uwa Primary School, where he was subjected to physical assault, intimidation, and torture before being forcefully taken to the palace.”
The former governor called on security agencies to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
He warned that allowing thugs and non-state actors to operate with impunity on behalf of powerful individuals could plunge society into anarchy. Obaseki also urged human rights organisations, civil society groups and concerned Nigerians to speak out against what he described as a gross abuse of human rights.
Responding to the incident, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said the situation had been brought under control, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, had met with the parties involved.