Outrage Over ‘Barbaric’ Assault on Pedro Obaseki Deepens as Amnesty, Sowore, Tietie Slam Attack; Police Open Investigation

National outrage has continued to swell over the brutal assault, public stripping and detention of renowned Nigerian filmmaker and media executive, Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki, in Benin City, Edo State, as Amnesty International, human rights activists, lawyers, journalists and public commentators condemned the incident as barbaric, unlawful and a grave affront to human dignity and the rule of law.

Dr. Obaseki, a former Managing Director of DAAR Communications Plc and cousin to former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, was on Sunday attacked while playing football at Uwa Primary School on Igbesanmwan Street, Benin City. He was beaten, stripped naked, dragged through several streets of the city and allegedly taken to the Oba of Benin’s Palace before being handed over to the police.

The Edo State Police Command has confirmed that it has commenced an investigation into the incident, even as sharply conflicting narratives have emerged regarding who carried out the arrest and assault.
Police confirm probe, give account
Speaking during a Facebook Live broadcast monitored on Sunday, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, said he personally went to the Oba Market Police Station after the incident and ordered an investigation.

“I went there; the matter is under investigation. I was at the Oba police station and I saw him,” Agbonika said. “I found out from the DPO that there have been complaints against him, and we have started investigations. You can be sure of best policing practices.”

The police commissioner, however, claimed that Obaseki was arrested by officers attached to the palace and later handed over to the police.

“What happened was that, I understand that some officers working at the palace arrested him and handed him over to the police,” he said.

This version has been disputed by eyewitnesses and by Obaseki himself, who insist that the abduction was carried out by political thugs allegedly led by the younger brother of a well-known political figure, Tony Kabaka, before he was taken to the palace.
Amnesty International condemns ‘lawless humiliation’

Amnesty International Nigeria, in a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, described the incident as “barbaric and unlawful,” calling on the Nigerian police to ensure that all those responsible are held accountable.

“Amnesty International strongly condemns the barbaric and unlawful abduction and humiliation of Mr. Pedro Obaseki, a renowned Nigerian filmmaker, who was attacked and stripped on Sunday by thugs at Uwa Primary School, where he went to play football,” the organisation said.

Amnesty noted that after being stripped naked, Obaseki was dragged through the streets over alleged comments he made at a public gathering.

“The palace of the Oba of Benin where he was dragged to, in utter disregard for human dignity and the rule of law, must distance itself from such bizarre impunity,” the statement added.

The organisation stressed that what happened showed “complete disdain for due process” and violated international human rights standards designed to safeguard human dignity and protect people from violence.

“What happened in Benin City on Sunday is unacceptable in a free society,” Amnesty said, urging the police to investigate the incident thoroughly and bring all those suspected of involvement to justice.

Obaseki narrates ordeal

Speaking in an interview on AIT after his release, Pedro Obaseki said the incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on Sunday while he was playing football with members of the Uwa All Stars at Uwa Primary School.
According to him, armed men stormed the field, abducted him and dragged him through several streets of Benin City, claiming they were acting on the orders of the Oba of Benin’s Palace.

“I was physically abducted, in short, physically kidnapped, some of them holding guns… and they hauled me through the streets of Benin under the guise that they’ve been sent to come and abduct me by the palace of the Oba of Benin,” he said.
Obaseki said he repeatedly demanded to see identification from his attackers but was ignored.

“I was dragged, beaten severely, manhandled and dragged through Igbisawan Street up to Akpapava, which is the main thoroughfare in Benin, and up to Ring Road, where I was stripped naked and taken into the palace of the Oba of Benin and where I was meant to kneel publicly,” he said.

“I’ve never been so humiliated because I am who I am because of my nativity, my Beninness.”

He further disclosed that he was later taken to the Oba Market Road police station, where the Commissioner of Police intervened and ordered his release.

Obaseki said he was traumatised by the experience and was told that his alleged offence was making a public statement in London in which he said, “May Edo people live long and prosper,” instead of referencing the Oba of Benin.

“I hear that my sin was that I went to London and in a public statement I said may Edo people live long and prosper, that I should have said may the Oba live long and prosper,” he said. “That my saying may Edo people live long and prosper is a cardinal sin in Benin.”

Condemnation pours in

The incident has triggered widespread condemnation across Nigeria.
Human rights lawyer and public analyst, Frank Tietie, described the assault as a descent into barbarity.

“In this day and age, this is happening in Benin City to Don Pedro Obaseki, PhD, for being related to a critic of the Oba of Benin,” Tietie said. “This gross violation of his human rights must be condemned by all well-meaning individuals worldwide.”

Activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, said he was appalled by the treatment meted out to Obaseki.

“No one should be humiliated or mobbed for expressing his opinion,” Sowore said. “The actions captured on tape are barbaric, and all those involved, no matter how highly placed, must be identified and sanctioned.”

ARISE Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, questioned the state of civility in Edo State, describing Obaseki as “a national treasure” who was disgraced over partisan issues.

Legal practitioner and public affairs commentator, Ifeanyi Agwuncha, argued that even if Obaseki’s comments were considered offensive, they did not justify the brutality inflicted on him.

“That was cruel. What transpired was anarchy in its crudest form,” Agwuncha said.
Similarly, Chukwudi Okoko condemned the incident as “inhumane and beneath us as a people,” warning that tolerating such acts amounted to embracing jungle justice and lawlessness.

Godwin Obaseki reacts

Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, also reacted to the assault on his cousin, blaming a “highly placed institution” for the incident and describing it as a disturbing abuse of power.

As calls for justice continue to mount, rights groups and concerned Nigerians insist that the handling of the Pedro Obaseki case will be a defining test of accountability, due process and respect for human dignity in Edo State and Nigeria at large.