STATEMENT BY DR. PEDRO OBASEKI
My name is Dr. Pedro Obaseki.
On Sunday, 28th December 2025, at about 11:00–11:30 a.m., while playing football at Uwa Primary School, Igbesanmwan Street, Benin City, I was suddenly attacked by a group of men.
The attackers, some of whom were armed and brandishing guns, forcibly abducted and kidnapped me. These individuals who led this attack identified themselves and this has been duly incidented with Law Enforcement.
During the course of the abduction, they repeatedly stated that they had been sent by the Oba’s Palace to seize me. They alleged that the Palace was angry with me over a speech I had delivered to Edo people in London, which I reportedly closed with the phrase “Edo gha to kpere” (meaning “Long live the Edo people”) instead of “Oba gha to kpere” (meaning “Long live the Oba of Benin”). They further claimed that they had been sent to deal with any Obaseki, beginning with me. My abductors stated that the abduction of Dr. Pedro Obaseki will continue in further attacks on all Obasekis.
I was severely beaten, dragged along the streets, and stripped completely naked. I was dragged along Igbesanmwan Road, taken to the front of Holy Aruosa Church, and publicly paraded in my nakedness. From there, I was further dragged around Ring Road and forcibly taken into the Oba’s Palace. The public beating, stripping, and humiliation occurred over a distance of approximately five (5) kilometres.
Inside the Oba Palace premises, I was slapped, beaten, gagged, and forced to kneel while naked. While in this condition, I attempted to plead for my life and dignity as the Oba drove past me within the Palace compound. Thereafter, I was forced into a Hilux vehicle and transported to the Oba Market Police Station.
I was detained at the police station for approximately five (5) hours. During this period, the State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, visited the Station on three (3) separate occasions and informed me that I would be released pending clearance from the Oba. Eventually, at about 5:15 p.m., I was released from custody.
This statement is a true and accurate account of the events as they occurred.
-Pedro Obaseki, MBA, PhD.
_(Victim)_
