Nollywood filmmaker and former Managing Director of Daar Communications, Don Pedro Obaseki, has shared a distressing account of his alleged abduction and assault on December 28, 2025, in Benin City, Edo State. According to reports, a group of youths, suspected to be thugs, attacked Obaseki, a cousin of former Edo State governor Godwin Obaseki, while he was playing football at UBA Primary School.

Obaseki described the encounter in detail, stating that he was physically abducted and taken through the streets of Benin under the pretense that he had been sent for by the palace of the Oba of Benin. He claimed that his abductors, some of whom were armed, dragged him, beat him severely, and stripped him naked before taking him to the palace. Obaseki was later made to kneel in public, an experience he described as humiliating.

The filmmaker expressed that he had never felt so humiliated, citing his dedication to serving his culture. He was eventually released and taken to the police station, where the Commissioner of Police visited him and ordered his release. During his encounter with the chiefs at the palace, Obaseki stated that it became clear that they had not sanctioned the attack.

Obaseki suggested that the attack may have been motivated by a cultural misunderstanding. He mentioned that he had made a public statement in London, wishing the Edo people longevity and prosperity, which was allegedly perceived as a cardinal sin in Benin. According to Obaseki, he should have instead wished the Oba a long and prosperous life. As a pioneer of the Benin culture, Obaseki has spent over 35 years promoting and elevating the culture, making the incident all the more distressing for him.

The incident has highlighted concerns about cultural sensitivities and the potential consequences of perceived disrespect. Obaseki’s experience serves as a reminder of the complexities and nuances of cultural traditions and the importance of understanding and respecting these differences. The incident is currently under investigation, and further developments are expected to unfold in the coming days.