The Department of State Services (DSS) has formally taken over the investigation into the violent attack and abduction of Dr Pedro Obaseki in Benin City, Edo State, following formal petitions by his legal team that classify the incident as terrorism‑related.
The development was confirmed via a detailed state‑of‑the‑case press statement issued by Obaseki’s lead counsel, Femi Falana, SAN, who disclosed that the DSS headquarters in Abuja has assumed full conduct of the probe in recognition of the nature, gravity and implications of the alleged crimes.
Obaseki was reportedly attacked, dehumanised, brutally assaulted and unlawfully abducted on December 28, 2025, in what his lawyers describe as a coordinated terroristic operation.
The incident, which ignited widespread outrage on social media and among civil society groups, has since evolved into a case with serious national and international human‑rights implications.
Falana stated, “It is important to place on record that the DSS has now formally assumed conduct of the investigation into this matter.
“Notably, and commendably, the Service has acceded to treating the complaint as terrorism‑related, in recognition of the nature, gravity and implications of the acts complained of.”
Multiple Petitions Allege Conspiracy, Unlawful Detention
According to the statement, multiple petitions were submitted to various security agencies and oversight bodies, alleging terrorism‑related conduct, conspiracy, assault, unlawful detention and obstruction of justice arising from the December 28 incident and subsequent events.
Falana said Obaseki has welcomed the intervention of the DSS and is cooperating fully with all lawful investigative processes.
“Any concerns arising from those interactions, including issues relating to conduct, handling and procedural integrity, have been formally documented and are now part of the consolidated representations before the appropriate authorities,” the senior advocate added.
Beyond security investigations, Obaseki’s legal team has commenced civil proceedings in Nigerian courts to secure judicial remedies and enforce institutional accountability.
Falana stressed that the lawsuits are designed to complement, not prejudice, ongoing security investigations.
“These proceedings are intended to complement, not prejudice, ongoing investigations by security agencies,” the statement said.
The matter has also assumed an international dimension, as petitions and formal communications have been submitted to regional and global human‑rights mechanisms.
According to Falana, filings have been made with the ECOWAS Court of Justice, European Union human‑rights bodies and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture, arbitrary detention and abuse of power.
He said, “The cross‑cutting human‑rights dimensions of this incident necessitated engagement with relevant international and regional mechanisms. These steps were taken to ensure adherence to Nigeria’s international obligations.”
The legal team has also placed social media and digital platforms on notice over the circulation of live and recorded footage linked to Obaseki’s dehumanisation, brutalisation and abduction.
Falana said the notices aim to ensure responsible platform conduct, content governance and cooperation with lawful accountability processes.
In his personal statement, Obaseki emphasised that all actions taken, domestically, regionally and internationally, are rooted in the pursuit of justice, the rule of law and public accountability.
He dismissed suggestions that the case was politically motivated or sensationalised.
“Dr. Obaseki respectfully calls on relevant authorities, civil‑society actors, professional bodies and members of the public to support lawful processes that will ensure that all criminal perpetrators, collaborators and enablers are identified and held to account,” the statement read.
Falana added that the press statement was issued in the public interest and would be updated as investigations and legal proceedings progress.