A violent mob has physically assaulted Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki, the cousin of former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, in a shocking incident at the gates of the Oba of Benin's Palace.
The attack occurred on Saturday, December 28, at the Uwa Primary School in Benin City, where Dr. Obaseki had reportedly gone to play football. He was later forcibly taken to the palace by a crowd of men, who described him as an *'Oghion'*—an enemy of the revered traditional ruler.
A Humiliating Ordeal Captured on Video
A widely circulated video from the scene shows the harrowing moments as Dr. Obaseki, stripped naked, was made to kneel before the palace gates. The surrounding mob, in a hostile and intimidating atmosphere, chanted "enemy of the Oba."
The assailants presented him to palace guards, accusing him of being an adversary of the Oba. The incident coincided with a significant cultural event: the final day of the annual Igue festival, a period of traditional rites and renewal for the Benin Kingdom.
Palace Chiefs Intervene to Diffuse Tension
Palace chiefs, speaking in the Bini language, intervened to calm the volatile situation. They informed the crowd that the Oba was on his way to the Holy Arousa Church for a thanksgiving service marking the end of the Igue festival.
"We don’t want any trouble," one chief stated, attempting to restore order. "If there is anybody that counted himself as enemy of the Oba, allow him and see how he will end up."
Despite the angry protests of the mob, the chiefs took Dr. Obaseki inside the palace premises for his safety. The exact circumstances that led to the mob labeling him an enemy and the motivation for the brutal attack remain unclear, with authorities yet to release an official statement or report any arrests related to the incident.
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