…community youths invade residence, destroy several properties in search of runaway homosexual

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Edo State Police Command has declared 22-year-old Austine Obasoyen Ese, wanted in connection with an alleged gay wedding that took place in Delta State, where over 67 persons were arrested, in one of Nigeria’s largest arrests targeting the outlawed homosexuality.

Austine was said to have escaped unhurt, when the police raided the alleged gay wedding, held at Tibulus Hotel located on Ekpan Road, Warri, Delta State, arresting several suspects, including Austine’s partner, Destiny Osagie, following a tipoff from a person who knew of the event.

During the subsequent investigation, Destiny Osagie confessed to being in a relationship with Austine Obasoyen Ese. Despite multiple efforts to locate and apprehend Austine, the Police have been unsuccessful, as he reportedly relocated to an unknown location to evade arrest and prosecution.

Same-sex relationships are criminalized in Nigeria, along with a ban on gay marriage, same-sex ‘amorous relationships,’ and membership of gay rights groups, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison.

Since signing the anti-gay law in 2014, several persons believed to be homosexuals have been arrested and paraded by security operatives across the country, with the Delta incident being one of the country’s largest arrests targeting the outlawed group.

While the Lagos State Police Command arrested 10 individuals suspected of homosexual activities in a brothel located in the Okota area of the State, the police, in 2018, also paraded 57 men for alleged homosexual activities at Kelly Ann Hotel in Egbeda, Lagos. Another batch of eight alleged homosexuals, in January 2022, was arrested in a hotel in Isolo, Lagos for alleged gay activities.

The Edo State Police Command said Austine Obasoyen Ese was declared wanted for an act of gay practice, following a report received from the Delta State Police Command and in pursuance to the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, which prohibits a marriage contract or civil union entered between persons of same-sex in Nigeria.

The Police while reaffirming its determination to bring Austine to justice, announced a handsome reward for anyone with useful information that could lead to his arrest.

In a report cited by our correspondent, the Police said, “Following report received from the Delta State Police Command and in pursuance to the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2014, prohibiting in Nigeria, a marriage contract or civil union entered between persons of same-sex, the Edo State Police Command has declared Austine Obasoyen Ese wanted for an act of gay practice.

“The wanted Austine Obasoyen Ese, born on the 23 August 2001 and resides at No 18c, Omorodion Street, Off Joromi, off Ekenhuan Road, Benin City, Edo State Nigeria, was a participant at a gay wedding at Tibulus Hotel located at Ekpan Road, Warri, Delta State, which was raided by the police and he escaped unhurt, while his partner Destiny Osagie and others were arrested.

“During interrogation, Destiny Osagie confessed him as his gay partner and all efforts made to trace and arrest him were futile, as he was said to have escaped to another location in order to evade arrest and prosecution.”

The Police added, “The Police has intensified the search for him and others who fled upon the raid and will spare no resource until they are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law. The command however assures a handsome reward for whoever that will provide useful information that will lead to the arrest of the said Austine Obasoyen Ese, who has been declared wanted and is now at large.”

Our correspondent, however, gathered that a mob of community youths had allegedly invaded Austine’s residence at the Ekenwan Road axis of Benin City, in protest, to apprehend and make sure he faced the consequence of his alleged abominable act.

The angry mob carrying whips, knives, and other dangerous weapons was said to have destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

The police, however, declined comments on the attack on his residence but confirmed that Austine Obasoyen Ese was at large and wanted for evading arrest in connection with illegal gathering and other related offenses.