Dr Pedro Obaseki, a respected journalist and former Managing Director of DAAR Communications, was said to have been attacked at Uwa Primary School, where he allegedly suffered physical assault, intimidation and torture before being forcefully taken away.

Footage that has since gone viral on social media appears to show armed men escorting a visibly brutalised Dr Pedro, who had reportedly been stripped of his clothes, to the palace of the Oba of Benin. The video also shows some palace chiefs receiving the group on arrival.

Sources familiar with the incident claimed that the armed men were acting on instructions linked to the palace and were allegedly awaiting further directives before the victim’s release.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Obaseki described the incident as a serious breach of fundamental human rights and an affront to the rule of law.

He said: “I strongly condemn the violent attack, maiming and abduction of my cousin, Dr. Pedro Obaseki, by armed thugs who are said to be acting under instructions of the palace of the Oba of Benin.”

The former governor expressed shock and disappointment over the alleged involvement of the palace in what he described as a disgraceful act.

He added: “I am surprised that our monarch would stoop so low and allow his hands to be soiled in such an ignoble act. This is not only embarrassing but deeply troubling.

“I call on security agencies to immediately investigate this matter thoroughly and transparently, identify those responsible for this barbaric act and ensure they are held accountable in accordance with the law.

A situation where thugs and non-state actors appear to freely take the law into their own hands on behalf of high-profile individuals and those in positions of authority can only result in one outcome, a degeneration into a state of anarchy, which will do no one no good.

“I urge human rights organisations, civil society groups, and all well-meaning Nigerians to lend their voices and speak out firmly against this injustice and gross violation of human rights.”