The attack on, and daylight humiliation of Don Pedro Obaseki by an angry mob, on Sunday, stinks with barbarism, evil, backwardness, total darkness—it is, but an act devilish in its entirety, worthy of nothing but strong condemnation by sane minds—it must be emphasized that the mob who carried out this attack on no less a person than Don Pedro, a reputable Benin man, do not represent the collective character and way of life of the Benins.
Don Pedro had gone to play football in Uwa Primary School in Benin City, the Edo State capital, his regular footballing spot, on Sunday morning, when suddenly he was ambushed by a mob, who molested, harassed, tongue-lashed and threatened him with death, after which he was dragged out of the school compound, stripped naked and commandered to the Palace of the Oba of Benin—this is evident in various videos now making the rounds on the social media.
The Benin nation, and by extension, Edo State, has not been known for the several hooliganism, lawless and barbaric behaviours that now emanates from the State on a daily routine—Edo, a once peaceful, thriving State has summarily degenerated to a den of hooliganism, lawlessness, assaults, attacks, and endless flow of bad blood amongst citizens in the last one year, it was never this bad and ugly.
Don Pedro is an illustrious son of the Benin nation, his rich historical, intellectual and media insights remains a guardrail for many who chose a career in these directions—Don Pedro has never been, and poses no threat to the peace and harmonious coexistence in Edo—with his pen and skill, Don Pedro has done more for Edo, like other illustrious sons and daughters, his ugly ordeal on Sunday morning is most unfortunate and casts Benin City and by extension, Edo State in very bad and notorious light.
The last one year has seen Edo struggle with very bad and notorious public image—this marks another image drift, further presenting the State to local and international communities as a hostile place, unwelcoming to not only its citizens, foreigners including—this is bad and a terrible development.
Watching Don Pedro on video being humiliated by a mob breaks one’s heart and erupts irritation, this is not the true and genuine character of Benin people, and the mob that executed that dirty job do not in any way whatsoever represent the interests of the Benin people—it is sad, unfortunate, disheartening, distasteful, and barbaric, and that the government of the day continue to maintain deafening silence amidst attacks by persons clearly connected with it, is most disturbing and embarrassing.
Governments exists to serve the people and protect citizens’ rights regardless of tribe, religious, and political affiliation—in today’s Edo however, there seem to be a subtle massage and approval for hooliganism and gross violation of human rights, hence, citizens now live in fear day-in-day-out.
We condemn in the strongest terms Sunday’s attack and humiliation of Don Pedro, and that the mob responsible for the attack should be brought to book ordinarily should not be a matter to be debated; unfortunately, however, the government of the day has become very notorious for shielding bad behaviours.
We wish to extend our very deep sympathy for our brother and son, Don Pedro Obaseki, ambassadors like him should rather be celebrated, not humiliated like we have seen on Sunday—at this trying time, we ask for strength and courage for his immediate family, and that this unsolicited development must never deter him in the individual and collective struggle for the emancipation of the Benin nation.
No doubt, Edo has become a den of hooliganism, lawlessness and brigandage—may God heal the land.
