Former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, on Sunday condemned what he described as the violent attack and abduction of his cousin, Don Pedro, at gunpoint, allegedly on the orders of the Bini palace.

Also, a human rights activist, Kola Edokpayi, has condemned the attack on Pedro, a cousin of the former Edo state governor in Benin, the state capital.

In a statement, Ex-Governor Obaseki stated that Pedro, 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.

“His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the immediate past governor of Edo State, has condemned in the strongest terms the violent attack and abduction of his cousin, Dr. Pedro Obaseki at gun point by armed thugs said to be acting under the instructions of the palace of the Oba of Benin,” a statement he released said.

“I strongly condemn the violent attack, maiming and abduction of my cousin, Dr. Pedro Obaseki, by armed thugs who are said to be acting under instructions of the palace of the Oba of Benin,” the statement added.

This just a palace told the youths that the palace does not want any disturbance, “We don’t want any disturbance, If anyone considers himself an enemy of the Oba, leave him.”

A viral video circulating on social media, he said, showed the armed thugs taking the brutalised Pedro, who was already stripped of his clothing to the palace, where they were ‘ceremoniously’ received by some palace chiefs.

Reacting to the development, the former governor described the incident as a grave violation of fundamental human rights and a reckless disregard for the rule of law.

He expressed deep disappointment over what he said was the involvement of the palace in such a barbaric, shameful and ignoble act.

“I am surprised that our monarch would stoop so low and allow his hands to be soiled in such an ignoble act. This is not only embarrassing but deeply troubling.

“I call on security agencies to immediately investigate this matter thoroughly and transparently, identify those responsible for this barbaric act and ensure they are held accountable in accordance with the law.

“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 no good.

“I urge human rights organisations, civil society groups, and all well-meaning Nigerians to lend their voices and speak out firmly against this injustice and gross violation of human rights,” he added.

Also, human rights activist, Kola Edokpayi, has condemned the attack on Pedro Obaseki, a cousin of former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, in Benin, the Edo state capital.

Some youths had allegedly attacked and stripped him of his clothes, accusing him of making disrespectful remarks against the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II.

Obaseki, a former presidential consultant on media to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, was said to have been attacked while playing football at Uwa Primary School field on Igbesamwan Street in Benin on Sunday morning.

The viral video footage showed the youths dragging him from the field before taking him to the Oba’s palace.

A renowned playwright, producer and director, and one of the pioneers of Nigeria’s Nollywood film industry, Obaseki, during the confrontation, was labelled an “oghioba” (enemy of the Oba), with the youths insisting that their action stemmed from comments he allegedly made in the United Kingdom that they considered insulting to the monarch.

Upon arriving at the palace, the youths allegedly informed palace chiefs and guards that they brought Obaseki to answer for allegedly disrespecting the Oba. However, palace chiefs were said to have quickly intervened.

Addressing the agitated youths, one of the chiefs noted that the Oba was at Holy Arousa Church attending a thanksgiving service, marking the end of the annual Igue Festival. He urged the youths to avoid causing trouble.

“We don’t want any disturbance. If anyone considers himself an enemy of the Oba, leave him, and time will reveal the outcome,” a chief cautioned. The video further showed palace chiefs taking custody of Obaseki from the youths.

In the same vein, a former Chief Whip of the Senate, Rowland Owie, has condemned what he termed the despicable and criminal assault on Pedro Obaseki, Chief Executive Officer of Hosamudia Farms, who was violently attacked in Benin City by youths.

In a statement personally signed on Sunday evening, Owie said the assault represents one of the gravest manifestations of coordinated, non-state actor–led violence against a lawful citizen, and constitutes a flagrant violation of Pedro’s fundamental human rights, including his rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, and freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment as guaranteed under the Constitution.

“What transpired on Sunday is not merely an assault on one individual; it is an assault on the rule of law itself. It is symptomatic of a deeply troubling descent into lawlessness and impunity, and a warning sign of a dangerous slide towards Hobbesian anarchy if left unchecked,” he stated.

Expressing grave concern over the implications for public order and civic safety in Edo State, Owie called on the Inspector General of Police to act without delay by ensuring the immediate apprehension, thorough investigation, and diligent prosecution of all those responsible for the attack.

He stressed that decisive action was essential not only to secure justice for the victim but also to send a clear and unequivocal message that Edo State and Nigeria as a whole have not been surrendered to hooligans and criminal elements.

The former Senate Chief Whip extended his heartfelt sympathies to Pedro and his family, appealing to all well-meaning Edo citizens, civil society organisations, and community leaders to speak out unequivocally against this ‘barbarity’ and to resist all attempts by criminal elements to destabilise the state through fear, violence, and humiliation.

“Silence in the face of such evil,” he warned, “is complicity. The dignity of the Edo people and the integrity of our constitutional order demand collective condemnation and resolute action,” he added.

Meanwhile, the victim has narrated his ordeal in the hands of the thugs, saying that he was beaten, stripped naked and detained for hours without justification.

“On Saturday, 28th December 2025, at about 11:00–11:30 a.m., while playing football at Uwa Primary School, Igbesanmwan Street, Benin City, I was suddenly attacked by a group of men. The attackers, some of whom were armed and brandishing guns, forcibly abducted and kidnapped me. The individuals who led this attack identified themselves as Kapuepue Adun, Osayande Obakhavbaye, Osamede Nomoless Eriyo, and Osamiefan, also known as Sales Guy.

“During the course of the abduction, they repeatedly stated that they had been sent by the Oba’s Palace to seize me. They alleged that the Palace was angry with me over a speech I had delivered to Edo people in London, which I reportedly closed with the phrase ‘Edo gha to kpere’ (meaning ‘Long live the Edo people’) instead of ‘Oba gha to kpere’ (meaning ‘Long live the Oba of Benin’). They further claimed that they had been sent to deal with any Obaseki, beginning with me.

“I was severely beaten, dragged along the streets, and stripped completely naked. I was dragged along Igbesanmwan Road, taken to the front of Holy Aruosa Church, and publicly paraded in my nakedness. From there, I was further dragged around Ring Road and forcibly taken into the Oba’s Palace. The public beating, stripping, and humiliation occurred over a distance of approximately five kilometres,” he recollected.

Inside the Palace premises, the renowned filmmaker said he was slapped, beaten, gagged, and forced to kneel while naked.

“While in this condition, I attempted to plead for my life and dignity as the Oba drove past me within the Palace compound. Thereafter, I was forced into a Hilux vehicle and transported to the Oba Market Police Station.

“I was detained at the police station for approximately five hours. During this period, the State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, visited the station on three separate occasions and informed me that I would be released pending clearance from the Oba. Eventually, at about 5:15 p.m., I was released from custody,” he added in a statement. (Arise News)

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