Dr. Pedro Obaseki has stated that he was abducted, assaulted, and publicly humiliated by a group of men in Benin City on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and has vowed to press charges over the incident.
In a detailed statement released on Monday, Obaseki said the attack occurred between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. while he was playing football at Uwa Primary School on Igbesanmwan Street.
According to Obaseki, the assailants, some of whom were allegedly armed, forcefully seized and kidnapped him, claiming they had been sent from the Oba of Benin’s Palace. He said the men accused him of offending the Palace over a speech he delivered to Edo people in London, which they claimed he concluded with “Edo gha to kpere” (“Long live the Edo people”) rather than “Oba gha to kpere” (“Long live the Oba of Benin”).
Obaseki further alleged that his abductors threatened continued attacks on members of the Obaseki family. He stated that the identities of those who led the attack have been reported to law enforcement.
Obaseki alleged that he was severely beaten, stripped naked, and dragged through several parts of the city, including Igbesanmwan Road, the front of Holy Aruosa Church, and Ring Road, before being taken into the Oba’s Palace.
He claimed the assault and public humiliation spanned approximately five kilometres. He further alleged that within the Palace premises he was slapped, beaten, gagged, and forced to kneel naked, and that he was later transported in a Hilux vehicle to the Oba Market Police Station.
He said he was detained at the station for about five hours and that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, visited the station on three occasions, informing him that his release was pending clearance. Obaseki stated that he was eventually released at about 5:15 p.m.
Describing his account as “a true and accurate” record of events, Obaseki said he intends to pursue legal action. Authorities and the Oba’s Palace had not issued an official response at the time of filing this report.
