Suspected political thugs on Sunday stripped the Chief Executive Officer of Hosamudia Farm, Don Pedro Obaseki, naked in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
In a video circulating online, Obaseki, a cousin of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, was attacked while playing football at Uwa Primary School.
The assailants reportedly abducted him and took him to the Oba’s palace, forcing him to kneel at the palace gate.
The thugs told palace guards that they had brought in an “Oghion (enemy) of Oba.”
Cheif Executive Officer of Hosamudia Farm and also Former Managing Director of Daar Communication, Don Pedro Obaseki, was stripped naked by Suspected Thugs on Sunday in Benin City.
Footage circulating online shows Obaseki who is a cousin of former Governor Godwin Obaseki being attacked and abducted while playing football at Uwa Primary School, and taken to the Oba’s palace, where they forced him to kneel at the palace gate, telling the Palace guards that they had brought an “Oghion of Oba” translating to “Enemy of Oba”.
One of the chiefs, Speaking in Bini language, addressed the thugs that the Oba was not in the palace, and on his way to a thanksgiving service at the Holy Arousa Cathedral.
“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.” The chief said.
He was later taken inside the Oba’s Palace by the chiefs even though the attackers were slightly reluctant.
Former Governor Godwin Obaseki has strongly condemned the attack on his cousin, Don Pedro Obaseki, calling it a “serious breach of fundamental human rights and a blatant disregard for the rule of law.”
In his statement, he said, “I vehemently denounce the violent assault on my cousin, Dr. Pedro Obaseki, by armed thugs. Dr. Obaseki, a former Managing Director of DAAR Communications and respected journalist, was physically attacked, intimidated, and tortured at Uwa Primary School before being forcibly taken to the Oba’s palace.”
He urged security agencies to carry out a full and transparent investigation to ensure the culprits are brought to justice.
Obaseki warned, “Allowing thugs and non-state actors to act with impunity on behalf of influential individuals or officials risks plunging the state into chaos, which benefits no one.”
He also appealed to human rights organizations, civil society groups, and concerned Nigerians to speak out against this violation of human rights and injustice.
Reacting, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer Eno Ikoedem said the situation has been contained, noting that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has engaged with the parties involved to resolve the matter.
