Veteran Nollywood producer, actor, and choreographer, Don Pedro Obaseki, was subjected to a brutal attack in Benin City, Edo State, on Sunday. The incident, which involved him being beaten, stripped naked, and publicly humiliated, has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and beyond.
A Brutal Assault Linked to Palace Instructions
The assault occurred early in the morning on a football field. According to reports, thugs who carried out the attack were heard in a video stating they acted on instructions from the palace of the Oba of Benin. Their alleged motive was that Don Pedro had disrespected the Oba during an event in London where he delivered a speech.
In a confusing turn of events, shortly after his release, Don Pedro made a video exonerating the Oba from any wrongdoing in the matter. Observers noted he appeared fearful, leading to speculation that clearing the Oba's name might have been a condition for his release from the thugs' captivity.
An analysis of the London event speech in question has not yielded clear evidence of disrespect towards the royal stool. The situation highlights the deep-seated cultural reverence for the monarchy in Benin, where the Oba wields significant traditional authority.
Harrison Gwamnishu's Bail and Controversial Ransom Case
In a separate but equally controversial development, Harrison Gwamnishu, a self-styled hostage negotiator, has been granted bail by the courts. Gwamnishu was arrested and detained for weeks by the police over allegations that he stole 5.4 million naira from a ransom payment intended for kidnappers in Edo State.
The police action followed an incident where a kidnapped couple was not released after the ransom drop. The wife was later freed on purported compassionate grounds due to her pregnancy, but the husband remains in captivity. The police alleged Gwamnishu's actions directly impacted this outcome.
Gwamnishu's defense was unusual; he reportedly did not deny taking the money but claimed it was to create space in the bag for a 'world class' tracking device he intended to plant. Since his release, he has been active on social media, engaging in damage control and speaking about unnamed enemies targeting him for his 'good work'.
Loose Ends and Unanswered Questions
Both cases leave critical questions unanswered. In the Don Pedro incident, the identity of who gave the orders for the assault remains officially unclear, despite the thugs' claims. The producer's own retraction adds a layer of complexity and fear to the narrative.
Regarding Gwamnishu, his precise role and relationships with kidnapping gangs in the Edo and Delta regions are under scrutiny. His bail suggests the legal process is ongoing, but the public is left wondering about the nature of his negotiation work and how he built his reputation in such a dangerous field.
These two stories, one involving traditional power and celebrity, the other centering on crime and vigilantism, reflect the complex social and security dynamics at play in contemporary Nigeria.
