Suspected Thugs Assault, Strip Former Edo Governor Obaseki’s Cousin in Benin

Suspected thugs on Saturday assaulted and stripped naked Don Pedro Obaseki, a veteran filmmaker and cousin of former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, in Benin City.

The incident, which occurred on December 28, reportedly took place at Uwa Primary School, where Don Pedro had gone to play football. A video circulating on social media shows the moment he was attacked before being dragged to the Oba of Benin’s Palace, where he was allegedly forced to kneel before some palace chiefs.

In the footage, the attackers were heard telling palace guards that they had brought an “Oghion,” meaning an enemy of the Oba.

The reason for the assault remains unclear, although it was alleged that Don Pedro may have made verbal remarks perceived as offensive to the Oba of Benin or the palace.

The incident has drawn attention due to past tensions between the Benin Palace and the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki. During his tenure, Obaseki clashed with the palace over his decision to ban Okaigheles (youth leaders) across the seven local government areas of the Benin Kingdom, citing their alleged role in promoting cultism. The palace rejected the ban, insisting that the Okaigheles are an integral part of Benin tradition.

The former governor also disagreed with the palace over the return of the Benin Bronzes looted by British forces in 1897. While the Oba maintained that the artefacts belonged to the palace and should be returned there, Obaseki proposed that they be housed at the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), to be managed by a private entity.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Benin Palace or security agencies regarding the assault on Don Pedro Obaseki.