Benin Actor and cousin of ex-Gov Obaseki Abducted, Beaten by Alleged Palace Envoys Over Cultural Greeting Gaffe
A prominent Benin actor and cultural figure, identified as Don Pedro Obaseki, a distant cousin of former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, has accused palace guards of the Oba of Benin of abducting and brutally assaulting him over a perceived slight in a traditional greeting made during a trip to London.
The incident, which unfolded last week, has ignited public fury in Edo State and beyond, amplifying longstanding frictions between the revered Oba Ewuare II and political figures like Godwin Obaseki.
Rights groups and Nigerians are demanding a transparent probe, decrying it as an abuse of traditional authority.
Obaseki recounted the ordeal in a detailed statement to reporters, describing how unidentified men stormed his home claiming to act on palace orders.
“They said they were sent by the palace but failed to show any form of identification when requested,” he said.
“I begged them to show me some ID, of course not. I was dragged, beaten severely, manhandled, and taken into the palace.”
The actor, known for his lifelong advocacy of Benin heritage through theater and community work, emphasized the trauma: “This is heartbreaking, especially after my contributions to our culture.”
He was later hauled to a police station on Oba Market Road, where Edo State Police Commissioner Funsho Adegboye intervened directly, visiting multiple times before securing his release without charges.
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Comments Obaseki made in London, where he invoked “Edo gha to’kperewa” “May Edo people live long and prosper”, instead of the customary “Oba gha to’kpere” honoring the monarch specifically.
Palace sources, speaking anonymously, labeled it a grave cultural taboo, but Obaseki dismissed it as a benign well-wish, not sedition.
Public backlash has surged on social media and in Benin streets, with #JusticeForObaseki trending and activists like the Edo Civil Society Network calling for accountability. “No one should be kidnapped and beaten over words,” said network coordinator Osas Osunde. “This demands an independent investigation.”
The episode unfolds amid deep-seated rivalry between Oba Ewuare II and Godwin Obaseki, who governed Edo from 2016 to 2024.
Disputes have centered on Benin bronzes, looted artifacts held in Western museums, their repatriation, and control over traditional institutions.
Obaseki’s administration clashed with the palace over heritage funding and chieftaincy appointments, with the Oba accusing him of undermining monarchical powers.
The actor’s relation to the ex-governor has fueled speculation of political targeting, though palace officials deny involvement, insisting the men were “rogue elements” acting without authorization.
No arrests have been made, and the palace has not issued a formal statement.
Edo Police spokesperson Chidi Nwabuzor confirmed the commissioner’s role in the release but said the case remains under review.
“We are investigating all claims, including the lack of ID,”
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Human Rights Watch echoed calls for action, warning that such incidents erode trust in traditional rulers amid Nigeria’s push for cultural revival.
As protests simmer, the saga spotlights Nigeria’s delicate balance between modern governance and ancient customs, where a misplaced phrase can escalate into violence.
