Former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki
Former Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has strongly condemned the violent abduction of his cousin, Dr. Pedro Obaseki, at gunpoint, reportedly orchestrated under the direction of the Oba of Benin’s palace.
In an official statement, Obaseki 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.”
Dr. Pedro Obaseki, a former Managing Director of DAAR Communications and a respected journalist, was assaulted at Uwa Primary School.
Eyewitnesses report that he was physically attacked, intimidated, and tortured before being forcibly taken to the palace.
A video that has gone viral on social media shows Dr. Pedro, already stripped of his clothing, being led by the armed assailants into the palace, where some palace chiefs allegedly received him ceremoniously.
Sources indicate that the thugs are waiting for further instructions from the Oba of Benin regarding his release.
Reacting to the incident, Obaseki described the attack as a “grave violation of fundamental human rights and a reckless disregard for the rule of law.”
He expressed deep disappointment over the alleged involvement of the palace in the incident, adding,
“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.”
Obaseki called on security agencies to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation, urging that those responsible be held accountable under the law.
He warned that allowing armed individuals to operate on behalf of high-profile figures could lead to societal anarchy.
He further appealed to human rights organizations, civil society groups, and all concerned Nigerians to speak out against what he described as a “gross violation of human rights.”
