Suspected political thugs on Sunday assaulted and publicly humiliated the Chief Executive Officer of Hosamudia Farm, Don Pedro Obaseki, in Benin City, Edo State
Obaseki, who is a cousin of former governor Godwin Obaseki, was attacked while playing football at Uwa Primary School, according to a video that has since circulated widely on social media.
Witnesses said the attackers stripped him naked before abducting him and marching him to the Oba of Benin’s palace, where he was forced to kneel at the palace gate. The assailants reportedly told palace guards that they had apprehended an “Oghion (enemy) of Oba.”
The situation drew the attention of palace chiefs, who cautioned the thugs against creating unrest. Speaking in Bini language, the chiefs noted that the Oba was on his way to the Holy Arousa Cathedral for a thanksgiving service marking the conclusion of the Igue festival.
One of the chiefs said, “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 chiefs eventually took Obaseki into the palace.
Reacting to the incident, former Governor Godwin Obaseki strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a serious abuse of human rights and a dangerous affront to 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 carry out a comprehensive 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 warned.
The former governor also appealed to human rights organisations, civil society groups, and concerned Nigerians to speak out against what he described as a blatant violation of fundamental rights.
Meanwhile, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said the incident had been brought under control, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, had already met with all parties involved.
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