Why Obaseki’s Cousin Don Pedro Was Stripped

Benin City witnessed widespread shock on Sunday, December 28, 2025, following the alleged violent abduction and public humiliation of veteran filmmaker Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki.

The respected Nollywood pioneer and former Managing Director of DAAR Communications was reportedly attacked in broad daylight by a group of armed men, stripped naked, and forcefully dragged through major parts of Benin City in Edo State.

The incident, which has since gone viral on social media, has sparked intense public debate and condemnation, raising serious concerns about human rights abuses, cultural enforcement, and the growing influence of non-state actors within the region.

The recent news on the Incident

According to eyewitness accounts, the incident began at about 11:30 am while Dr. Obaseki was playing a friendly football match with members of the Uwa All Stars at Uwa Primary School.

Without warning, a group of armed men reportedly stormed the football field, physically overpowered him, and forcefully abducted him in full view of players and onlookers.

Dr. Obaseki later recounted that he was brutally manhandled and dragged through several major streets, including Igbisawan Street and Akpapava, before being taken to the Ring Road area.

There, he was allegedly stripped of his clothing in public and subjected to further humiliation. He was then taken to the entrance of the Oba of Benin’s Palace, where he was reportedly forced to kneel before a gathering of people.

Following the incident, he was taken to a police station along Oba Market Road, where he was eventually released after the intervention of the Edo State Commissioner of police

The Alleged Reason Behind the Attack

The filmmaker disclosed that his attackers claimed they were acting on instructions connected to the Palace over what they described as a serious breach of traditional protocol. According to Dr. Obaseki, the alleged offense stemmed from a statement he made during a recent trip to London.

Instead of using the traditional salutation reserved for the Oba of Benin, which translates to “May the Oba live long,” he reportedly said, “May Edo people live long and prosper.”

This variation was allegedly interpreted as a sign of disrespect toward the revered monarch.

Dr. Obaseki, who has spent decades promoting Benin history and culture through iconic films such as Igodo, described the experience as deeply traumatic and degrading.

He stated that he had never felt so humiliated, adding that the incident struck at the core of his identity, heritage, and pride as a Benin man.

Demand for Accountability

The alleged assault has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society groups, legal practitioners, cultural commentators, and political figures across the country. Many have described the incident as barbaric, unlawful, and a direct violation of fundamental human rights.

Former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is related to the victim, issued a strong statement denouncing the attack.

He described it as a gross abuse of power and urged security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to ensure justice is served. He warned that allowing such acts to go unpunished could encourage lawlessness and undermine public confidence in the rule of

As public pressure mounts, attention has turned to the Edo State Police Command, which has been called upon to identify, arrest, and prosecute all those involved in the abduction and assault.

Human rights advocates have also demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.

Meanwhile, the Oba of Benin’s Palace and the Benin Traditional Council have yet to issue an official statement to confirm or deny any connection to the actions of the alleged attackers. This silence has further fueled speculation and calls for clarity.