The Department of State Services (DSS) has officially taken charge of the investigation into the attack and abduction of Dr. Pedro Obaseki, which occurred in Benin City on December 28, 2025.
This decision comes after petitions were filed by Dr. Obaseki’s legal team, led by Femi Falana, SAN, prompting the DSS to treat the incident as terrorism-related due to the severity and implications of the alleged crimes.
Femi Falana, SAN, issued a statement confirming the DSS’s involvement, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the gravity of the situation. He commended the decision to classify the case as terrorism-related, highlighting the serious nature of the allegations.
The petitions submitted by Dr. Obaseki’s legal team detail a range of offenses, including terrorism-related conduct, conspiracy, assault, unlawful detention, and obstruction of justice, all stemming from the events of December 28.
He disclosed that Dr. Obaseki has had engagements with the DSS in Benin City under the authority of the State Director, adding that “any concerns arising from those interactions, including issues of conduct, handling and procedural integrity, have been formally documented and are now part of the consolidated representations before the appropriate authorities.”
The legal team has also instituted civil proceedings before Nigerian courts, which Falana said are “intended to complement, not prejudice, ongoing investigations by security agencies,” while seeking judicial remedies and institutional accountability.
Beyond Nigeria, petitions have been submitted to international and regional bodies, including the ECOWAS Court of Justice, the European Union human-rights mechanisms and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and arbitrary detention.
Falana said the steps were taken “to ensure transparency, preservation of evidence and adherence to Nigeria’s international obligations.”
The statement further noted that social media and digital platforms have been placed on notice over the circulation of footage linked to Dr. Obaseki’s alleged dehumanization and abduction, in order to ensure “responsible platform conduct and cooperation with lawful accountability processes.”
Dr. Obaseki stressed that the actions taken were “solely in furtherance of justice, the rule of law and public accountability, and not for sensationalism or political motive,” calling on authorities and the public to support efforts to ensure that “all criminal perpetrators, collaborators and enablers are identified and held to account.”
