A two-time Edo State governorship aspirant, High Chief Jacob Egietseme Idinye has taken a swipe at suspected hoodlums who assaulted Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki in Benin City just as he called for their immediate arrest and prosecution by the law enforcement agents.
The widely reported attack on Dr. Pedro which dominated both social and mainstream media indicated that the incident occurred on Sunday at Uwa Primary School, Igbesamwan, where the victim was playing football.
Eyewitnesses said he was beaten up, stripped naked, and forcefully taken to the palace of the Oba of Benin.
In his statement on Monday, December 29, 2025, High Chief Idinye said he was heartbroken, while also describing the incident as a serious violation of fundamental human rights, civil liberties and a reckless disregard for the rule of law, emphasizing the need for urgent action by security agencies to hold the perpetrators accountable and make them face the wrath of the law.
“I am really heartbroken that this babarism, show of shame and utter disregard for human dignity, human rights and civil liberties literally took place in my home State. Allowing armed thugs to abduct, maim, dehumanised and strip naked a law abiding citizen and distinguished Edo citizen who have brought pride and honour to our state through his craft, talents and intellectual prowess to be treated in such manner is unimaginable and disgusting,” Idinye said.
Dr. Pedro Obaseki, a former top management staff with DAAR Communications and a respected journalist, was reportedly physically assaulted, intimidated, tortured and filmed by his attackers before being forcibly taken away.
“Where is our humanity? Where is our decency and respect for the rule of law? This is disgraceful and very disappointing. Seeing Dr. Pedro Obaseki a highly revered personality by all standards being attacked at Uwa Primary School, where he was brutalized by armed gangsters, stripped of his clothing and forcibly taken to the palace flagrantly brought shame to our State and our ancestral dignity. A viral video circulating on social media clearly shows the armed thugs leading him away in a battered, devastating and dehumanising condition,” he added.
Idinye also expressed deep disappointment over the alleged involvement of the palace in the incident, describing the development as deeply troubling and unbelievable.
“I call on all security agencies to quickly swing into action investigate this insidious act very thoroughly and transparently, and smoke out all the criminals who are involved in this total breakdown of law and order. This individuals must be brought to justice so that investors and art enthusiasts locally and internationally will not see Edo State as a state belonging to bandits or miscreants. Nigeria is governed by law and order therefore Edo State cannot be an exception. These irate and senseless individuals must be held accountable for their actions as provided by the law,” Idinye said.
The Etsakọ-born politician was appalled by the actions of non-state actors even as he urged security agents to act fast and restore dignity back to the state.
“Thugs and non-state actors under any guise should never be allowed to operate freely on behalf of any highly placed figures or public institutions, this is highly irresponsible and totally unacceptable. Regrettably, this theatre of lawlessness puts our State in bad light. Security agencies should act fast by dealing with this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.
“I must also add that this is the right time for all human rights organizations, civil society groups, media, and all well-meaning Nigerians, including Edo State government and the Benin palace to add their voices to this heinous crime which desecrated human rights.
I believe very strongly that this collective and collaborative action will essentially help to deter others with similar evil intentions to know that such acts of brutality and lawlessness are not tolerated in our state or anywhere else in Nigeria, Edo State is a melting pot for arts and tourism and not bedlam for hooliganism or thuggery,” Idinye warned.
