Abduction, Fear and a Long Road to Justice: Inside Dr. Pedro Obaseki’s Ordeal
By Jerry Adesewo
On December 28, 2025, what should have been an ordinary day in Benin City turned into a nightmare for Dr. Pedro Obaseki. By nightfall, he had been violently attacked, humiliated in public view, and unlawfully abducted—an experience his lawyers describe as nothing short of terror.
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Weeks later, the scars of that day remain fresh, not only for Dr. Obaseki and his family, but for a wider public watching how Nigeria responds when violence crosses the line into intimidation and fear.
“I feared I would not return home”
According to accounts released by his legal team, Dr. Obaseki was subjected to physical assault and dehumanising treatment before being forcibly taken away against his will. For hours, his whereabouts were unknown. Family members describe frantic calls, sleepless nights, and the terror of not knowing if he was alive.
“It was not just an attack on one man,” a close associate said. “It was an attempt to break him—physically and psychologically.”
Security agencies step in
Following petitions submitted to multiple authorities, Nigeria’s Department of State Services has formally taken over investigations into the incident. In a significant development, the agency has agreed to treat the case as terrorism-related, acknowledging the severity and broader implications of what occurred.
Dr. Obaseki has since appeared before DSS officers in Benin City, cooperating with investigators while formally documenting concerns about how some aspects of the process were handled. His legal team insists these concerns are now part of the official record.
Seeking justice at home—and beyond
Parallel to security investigations, civil cases have been filed in Nigerian courts, seeking redress and institutional accountability. The move, his lawyers say, is not an act of defiance but an effort to ensure that investigations translate into consequences.
Because of the human-rights dimensions of the case—unlawful detention, assault, and public humiliation—petitions have also been sent to regional and international bodies, including the ECOWAS Court of Justice and relevant United Nations human-rights mechanisms.
“These steps are about transparency,” the legal team said. “They are meant to preserve evidence and ensure Nigeria’s obligations under international law are respected.”
The digital afterlife of violence
One troubling aspect of the incident has been its afterlife online. Videos and images allegedly showing Dr. Obaseki’s ordeal circulated widely on social media platforms, often without context or restraint. His lawyers say platforms have now been formally notified, urging responsible content moderation and cooperation with ongoing investigations.
For Dr. Obaseki’s family, the online spread has compounded the trauma. “It is painful to see someone’s worst moment replayed again and again,” a family source said.
A test for the rule of law
Leading the legal team is Femi Falana, who has framed the case as a broader test of Nigeria’s commitment to justice.
“This is not about politics or publicity,” Falana said in a statement. “It is about accountability. Those who carried out this act—and those who enabled it—must be identified and held responsible.”
Waiting, hoping
As investigations continue, Dr. Obaseki is said to be recovering, surrounded by family and supporters. But the emotional toll remains heavy. Friends describe a man determined to pursue justice, even as he rebuilds a sense of safety shaken by the events of December 28.
For many Nigerians watching closely, the case raises uncomfortable questions: What happens when violence is used to silence or intimidate? And will the system respond swiftly and fairly when an ordinary citizen becomes the victim of extraordinary brutality?
For Dr. Pedro Obaseki, the answers will shape not only his own healing—but public faith in the rule of law itself.
Abduction, Fear and a Long Road to Justice: Inside Dr. Pedro Obaseki’s Ordeal