By Chika Obi
Two men, Osondu Michael and Chidiebere Ezewusim, suspected to be in Sam sex relationship narrowly escaped a lynching in Mgbidi, Imo State, on Sunday evening after their alleged secretive affairs were exposed by local youths.
The incident, which unfolded in the Ugbele area of Oru West Local Government Area, has sparked a police investigation as the two men remain on the run.
Sources say that the couple, who had been living discreetly in the area for some time, were tracked down by a group of youths who had been suspicious of their activities. According to one of the youths, who identified himself as Mojo, they had confronted the pair several times before and had been discreetly monitoring their movements.
On Sunday, their surveillance led them to a hotel in Ugbele, where the two men were allegedly engaging in a sexual encounter. The youths, angered by what they saw as a desecration of their community, attacked the men. However, their plans were thwarted by the timely intervention of the manager of the hotel, Chief Marshal Ezeokafor.
“The youths were ready to take the law into their own hands,” said Mojo. “If not for the intervention of the hotel manager, the situation would have been much worse.”
The Imo State Police Command confirmed the report. A statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Mr. Michael Abattam, said the police were notified shortly after the incident.
The statement read: “Today, Monday, October 24, 2022, one Chief Marshal Ezeokafor, manager of a hotel in Ugbele in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State reported an incident in which alleged gay lovers were attacked by some youths in the community.
“The police in conjunction with the youth have commenced efforts to locate the now-at-large suspects, Osondu Michael and Chidiebere Ezewusim. We are working closely with local vigilante groups and the community to bring the culprits to justice. We want to remind residents of Imo State that gay and homosexual activities are still illegal in Nigeria.”
The police also appealed to the public for information that might assist in locating the suspects. “We urge well-meaning citizens to cooperate with the police by providing useful information that will lead to the swift arrest of the fugitives,” the statement added.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance in Nigeria, where same-sex relationships are illegal and punishable by law. The local community’s violent reaction highlights the continuing tensions surrounding issues of homosexuality in the country, particularly in rural areas like Mgbidi.
Recall that the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill was signed into law on January 7, 2014, by President Goodluck Jonathan. The law criminalizes public displays of affection between same-sex couples and imposes a 14-year prison sentence on anyone who indulges in a same-sex relationship.
