A disturbing scene unfolded in Benin City on Sunday after suspected political thugs reportedly assaulted and humiliated Don Pedro Obaseki, the Chief Executive Officer of Hosamudia Farm.
Obaseki, who is related to former Edo State governor Godwin Obaseki, was said to be playing football at Uwa Primary School when the attackers descended on him. Footage that later emerged online showed him being stripped naked and manhandled by the assailants.
Sources said the group abducted him from the scene and marched him to the Oba of Benin’s palace, where he was forced to kneel at the palace entrance. The attackers allegedly told palace guards that they had brought an “Oghion (enemy) of Oba.”
The incident attracted the attention of palace chiefs, who cautioned the thugs against escalating tension. They explained that the Oba was heading to the Holy Arousa Cathedral for a thanksgiving service marking the end of the Igue festival.
One of the chiefs warned, “Today is thanksgiving day at the Holy Arousa. We don’t want any trouble. If there is anybody that counts himself as an enemy of the Oba, allow him and see how he will end up.”
Despite resistance from the attackers, the palace chiefs eventually intervened and escorted Obaseki into the palace.
Former governor Godwin Obaseki later condemned the attack, describing it as a serious abuse of fundamental rights and a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
“I strongly condemn the violent attack on my cousin, Dr. Pedro Obaseki, by armed thugs. Dr Obaseki, a former Managing Director of DAAR Communications and a renowned journalist, was attacked at Uwa Primary School, where he was subjected to physical assault, intimidation, and torture by the armed thugs before being forcefully taken to the palace.”
He called on security agencies to launch a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
“A situation where thugs and non-state actors appear to freely take the law into their own hands on behalf of high-profile individuals and those in positions of authority can only result in one outcome, a degeneration into a state of anarchy, which will do no one any good.”
He also urged human rights organisations, civil society groups, and concerned Nigerians to speak out against what he described as a gross violation of human rights.
Meanwhile, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said the matter had been brought under control, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, had met with the parties involved.
