Thugs assault Obaseki, force him to apologise in Benin

Suspected thugs on Sunday assaulted and stripped renowned playwright, producer and director, Don Pedro Obaseki, in Benin City, over allegations that he disrespected the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.

The incident occurred at Uwa Primary School, where Obaseki had gone to play football. Witnesses said he was accosted by a group of youths identified as Ogbe boys, allegedly led by one Capuepue Adun, who challenged him over comments deemed insulting to the Benin Palace.

The assailants accused Obaseki, a cousin to former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, of making derogatory remarks about the monarchy during a “Meet and Greet” event in London.

He was alleged to have urged Edo people to stop eulogising the Benin monarch with the traditional salutation “Oba ghatokpere” and instead adopt “Edo Atokpere”, meaning Long Live Edo State.

Following the confrontation, the youths reportedly beat Obaseki and stripped him half naked before forcing him to walk towards the palace.

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A video circulating on social media showed him being marched to the palace premises, where he was made to kneel from the palace gate into the courtyard while chanting “Oba ghatokpere” with his hands raised.

Palace chiefs later intercepted the group and intervened, rescuing Obaseki from further assault.

The chiefs addressed the youths in the Bini language, warning against any act capable of causing unrest on a significant traditional day.

They noted that the Oba was preparing to attend a thanksgiving service at the Holy Arousa Church to mark the end of the Igue festival and stressed that the palace would not tolerate disorder.

The chiefs subsequently took Obaseki into the palace despite resistance from the youths.

By the time of filing this report, Obaseki was believed to have been admitted into the palace to formally apologise to the Oba of Benin over the alleged remarks.

NAN