“This is Terrorism”: DSS Takes Over Probe into Brutal Public Stripping of Don Pedro Obaseki
BENIN CITY — The Department of State Services (DSS) has officially taken over the investigation into the brutal abduction and public humiliation of Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki, a move that escalates the case from a local assault to a “terrorism-related” inquiry.
The veteran broadcaster and cousin to former Governor Godwin Obaseki was attacked, stripped naked, and paraded through the streets of Benin City on December 28, 2025, by youths who alleged he had disrespected the Oba of Benin.
In a swift development confirmed this week, the secret police (DSS) relieved the Nigeria Police Force of the primary investigation, citing the “gravity and implications” of the assault, which human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has described as an act of terrorism.
Why the DSS Stepped In
Sources reveal that the DSS Headquarters in Abuja ordered the takeover after reviewing video evidence of the incident. The attackers did not just beat Obaseki; they abducted him in broad daylight, stripped him, filmed the ordeal, and live-streamed it to instill fear in the public—actions that fall under the Terrorism (Prevention) Act. In a petition dated December 29, 2025, Obaseki’s legal team identified specific individuals (including a “Sales Guy” and others) who allegedly led the mob under the false pretense of acting for the Palace.
Falana Heads to Court
While the DSS hunts the perpetrators, Femi Falana (SAN) has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court. The suit demands:
- Immediate Arrest: The apprehension of all individuals identified in the viral videos.
- Damages: Heavy financial compensation for the “torture, degrading treatment, and arbitrary detention” of Dr. Obaseki.
- Declaration: A court order declaring the act as “terrorism” to prevent future mob justice in the state.
“This was not a fight; it was a coordinated attempt to dehumanize a citizen and terrorize the populace,” Falana stated. “We are pursuing both civil and criminal proceedings concurrently.”
The Palace Denies Involvement
The Benin Traditional Council has firmly distanced the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, from the violence. In a widely publicized statement, the Palace clarified that the monarch “neither authorized nor condoned” the assault. Dr. Obaseki has publicly accepted this clarification, focusing his legal battle strictly on the “political thugs” who he claims used the Oba’s name to settle scores.
The Political Undertone
The attack has renewed tensions in Edo State, coming just months after the heated governorship transition. Dr. Obaseki, a vocal political commentator, had previously raised alarms about the safety of opposition figures in the state.
As the DSS begins its “terrorism probe,” the streets of Benin wait to see if the “untouchable” enforcers behind the attack will finally face the law.