The Attack On Don Pedro Obaseki -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

The reported assault on Dr. Pedro Osaro Agbonifo-Obaseki popularly known as Don Pedro Obaseki has continued to generate ripples in the media space despite other deafening incidents like the US bombing of terrorists’ enclave in Sokoto and the tension about the implementation of Tinubu’s purported Tax Reform Bill. And an activist and a movie personality, I feel obligated to lend my voice in condemnation of the barbarism and savagery displayed by the thugs in Benin against one of the own who is one of the finest brand in Nigeria’s movie industry. Don Pedro Obaseki may not be a saint, but he has carved a niche for himself in the Nollywood as a veteran producer and director who has produced scores of movies and helped hone and mentor many artists in the industry. In a saner environment such a personality who has recorded such accomplishment should be celebrated. His role in the movie sector has not only helped in creating entertainments, jobs or developing budding talents but has helped in promoting our culture. I have interacted with a good number of them from Edo State like Alex Usifo, Paul Obazele, Charles Inojie, Lancelaut Oduah Imasuen…and I know how passionate they are about their Benin cultural heritage.

It is therefore, regrettable that the same people who should celebrate him are the ones humiliating him in public like a common criminal. When I watched the video footage of how he was abducted, beaten, stripped naked by hooligans and dragged through the streets of Benin, tears dropped from my eyes. There was no protection or official intervention whatsoever. He was paraded and bundled into the Palace of the Benin monarch and then taken to the police station where he was allegedly detained for five hours before he was released on the order of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare 11.

It is not clear yet who authorized the attack or the reason for the attack on the veteran film maker but the media report states that Don Pedro Obaseki was attacked and abducted by a group whom he identified was led by one Kapuepue Adun and Osayande Obakhavbaye, Osamede Nomoless Eriyo, Osamiefan, alongside other individuals yet to be identified, ostensibly on the orders of the Oba of Benin, while he was playing football at Uwa Primary School, Igbesanmwan Street, Benin City on Sunday the 28th day of December, 2025 allegedly for disrespecting the Oba in an event in Europe.

However, the palace of the Oba of Benin has denied any authorization or involvement in the attack. In a statement issued by the palace Secretary, Frank Irabor on Wednesday the 31st day of December 2025, the council condemned the act describing it as unfortunate and contrary to the character and values of the Benin Throne.

The assault on Pedro Obaseki who is a cousin to the immediate past governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki is generating outrage in the public sphere with many asking many questions like: What has the veteran film maker done to warrant this kind of humiliation in his home state? Who gave the orders for this kind of ill-treatment? Whatever he has done, is there no other way to summon or sanction him? What is our country turning into with thugs attacking people with impunity? Who is safe if a personality like Obaseki could be so treated in his own city?

Now that the Benin Throne has dissociate itself from the attack on Don Obaseki, it is expected that the relevant security agency should swing into action to fish out those who carried the dastardly act of assaulting a fellow citizens especially as the victim could identified those that led the attack. A thorough investigation should be launched, the culprits arrested and tried according to the law to forestall future occurrence of such a shame-making act. The attack on Obaseki was a descent into barbarism and a national disgrace and should be seen as such.

Indeed, the assault on Obaseki is an abuse of his fundamental human right and should not be swept under the carpet doing so would amount to condoning incivility and violence in our society. No matter what he has done, nobody has the right under the law to so manhandle another person like that. As one analyst puts it, the attack, “represented a dangerous collapse of respect for human dignity, rule of law and democratic values,” and therefore must not be condoned. The Actors Guild of Nigeria, the National Human Rights Commission and the Nigerian human rights community should pursue this matter to ensure that justice is done. Those hooligans who perpetuated this act must be fished out and tried otherwise this act of lawlessness will continue and nobody knows who would be the next victim.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed 

hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com

An actress, social activist, politician

London, UK