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Dr. Pedro Obaseki to Sue Over Benin Abduction and Assault

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Prominent Nigerian film scholar and cultural activist Dr. Pedro Agbonifo Obaseki has announced his decision to pursue legal action following a violent public abduction, assault, stripping, and unlawful detention he suffered in Benin City on Sunday, December 28, 2025.

In a strongly worded press statement released today, Dr. Obaseki described the incident as a “brutal public abduction” in which armed individuals forcibly took him, violently assaulted him, stripped him naked, threatened his life, and paraded him through major roads in broad daylight while recording and livestreaming the ordeal to deliberately humiliate him and instil fear in the public.

He was subsequently detained for several hours despite sustaining injuries, with no formal allegation or lawful charge disclosed. Dr. Obaseki stated that the perpetrators claimed to be acting on the instructions of the Oba of Benin or the Oba’s Palace.

However, he noted that the Benin Traditional Council has categorically denied any involvement, authorisation, or prior knowledge of the acts in a widely publicised formal letter, a position he has accepted and welcomed as part of the official record.

After extensive consultations with his family, clan, senior legal advisers, and respected elders, Dr. Obaseki said he has chosen to seek justice through lawful and constitutional means—not out of malice or political motives, but to ensure accountability, deterrence, and the protection of human dignity.

He emphasised that remaining silent in the face of such grave violations would amount to complicity and expose other citizens to similar abuses.

Dr. Obaseki has engaged leading human rights lawyer Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, as lead counsel to pursue appropriate civil and criminal proceedings against the individual perpetrators and any persons found to have aided, facilitated, or enabled the offences through due process.

In light of the severity of the incident and its broader public interest implications, he has also formally notified and is engaging international human rights bodies and partners to ensure independent oversight, transparency, and monitoring of the investigative and judicial processes.

“This action is taken not only to restore the dignity of an innocent citizen and protect his family, but also to deter future occurrences and to affirm that no individual or group may abduct, brutalise, or publicly dehumanise another outside the law,” Dr. Obaseki stated.

Out of respect for ongoing investigations and judicial proceedings, he said no further factual or evidentiary commentary would be made at this time.

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FG Unmasks 60 Persons and Corporates Behind Terrorism Financing, Order Banks To Freeze Their Accounts

The updated sanctions list is part of a crackdown on financial networks supporting extremist groups, particularly following investigations into Bureau De Change (BDC) operators and other entities.

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The Federal Government on Saturday released a list of 48 individuals and 12 corporate entities allegedly linked to terrorism financing in Nigeria, as part of ongoing efforts to curb the funding of extremist activities.

The Federal Government also directed financial institutions to freeze all accounts and assets associated with these individuals and firms.

The list, published on the website of the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC), disclosed the nationalities of those named, their specific roles, and the terrorist groups they were allegedly connected to.

The Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC) operates under the authority of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which coordinates its activities within the national security framework.

Its core mandates include the implementation of United Nations sanctions—particularly those targeting terrorism financing—ensuring compliance with international obligations, and facilitating coordination among agencies such as financial intelligence, defense, and foreign affairs.

Those named in the latest released include Abdulsamat Ohida, Mohammed Sani, Abdurrahman Abdurrahman, Fatima Ishaq, Tukur Mamu, Yusuf Ghazali, Muhammad Sani, Abubakar Muhammad, Sallamudeen Hassan, Adamu Ishak, Hassana Isah, Abdulkarim Musa, Umar Abdullahi, Abdurrahman Ado, Bashir Yusuf, Ibrahim Alhassan, Muhammad Isah, Salihu Adamu, Surajo

Mohammad, Fannami Bukar, Muhammed Musa, Sahabi Ismail, Mohammed Buba, Jama’atu Wal-Jihad, Ansarul Sudan (ANSARU), Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Yan Group, Yan Group NLBDG, Adamu Hassan, Hassan Mohammed, Usman Abubakar, Kubara Salawu, Rabiu Suleiman, Simon Njoku, Godstime Iyare, Francis Mmadubuchi, John Onwumere, Chikwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chiwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, Mercy Ali, Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie, and Ogumu Kewe.

The entities listed include West and East Africa General Trading Co. Ltd, Settings Bureau De Change Ltd, G. Side General Enterprises, Desert Exchange Ventures Limited, Eagle Square General Trading Co. Ltd, Alfa Exchange BDC, Alin Yar Yaya General Enterprises, K. Are Nigeria Limited, Suhailah Bashir General Enterprises, Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises, Seficuvi Global Company, and Lakurawa Sect.

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Breaking: INEC postpones voter revalidation exercise till after 2027 elections

The decision was announced in a statement issued and signed by Mohammed Haruna, the commission’s national commissioner and chairman of its information and voter education committee.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday postponed its planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise until after the 2027 general elections.

The decision was announced in a statement issued and signed by Mohammed Haruna, the commission’s national commissioner and chairman of its information and voter education committee.

Haruna said that the postponement followed deliberations at a meeting between the commission and resident electoral commissioners (RECs).

“Following deliberations, the commission resolved to postpone the exercise until after the 2027 General Election,” the statement read.

(VANGUARD)

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Plateau Community Laments ‘ No Security To Repel Attackers’

Those confirmed dead include Elder Iliya Mangut Dakus, Mr. Luck Titus Dakus, Mr. Habila Istifanu Dakus, Mr. Hassan Istifanus Dakus, Mrs. Hassan Moses Dakus, Biggie Lucky Dakus, Sunday Gideon Dakus, and Mr. Innocent Barnabas Makwin.

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People of Mbwelle village, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State lamented that the Thursday Late-night attack which left eight persons killed lasted for several hours with no visible security presence to repel the attackers.

The assailants reportedly stormed the community at about 11 p.m. on Thursday, and opened fire on residents in a sporadic shooting that lasted nearly an hour.

Seven of the victims were members of the same family, while at least three others sustained injuries and several persons are missing.

Those confirmed dead include Elder Iliya Mangut Dakus, Mr. Luck Titus Dakus, Mr. Habila Istifanu Dakus, Mr. Hassan Istifanus Dakus, Mrs. Hassan Moses Dakus, Biggie Lucky Dakus, Sunday Gideon Dakus, and Mr. Innocent Barnabas Makwin.

The Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Samuel Amalau, confirmed the incident to Arise news during a phone interview, expressing concern over the recurring violence in the area.

The Chairman condemned what he described as a resurgence of unprovoked attacks in Bokkos, particularly the incident in Mbwelle community of Kwatas Ward.

The Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, Kefas Mallai, added that the attack has heightened tension in the area.

He extended condolences to the bereaved families, noting that the killings were “a direct assault on our collective humanity and peaceful coexistence,” while also wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

He also appealed to youths to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could escalate tensions, even as he reaffirmed the right to lawful self-defense.

Also confirming the attack, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, said investigations are ongoing and assured that further details would be made available.

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