Delta men stripped and paraded in suspected gay raid

Two men from Delta State were publicly humiliated after a dramatic hotel raid in Oghara, allegedly carried out by security operatives targeting suspected homosexuals.

The men were stripped to their underwear, handcuffed together, and paraded in the rain, sparking outrage over human rights abuses.

The incident occurred on 19 September 2025 at a hotel near Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara. Witnesses say officers stormed the hotel room occupied by the two men, accused them of engaging in same-sex acts, and subjected them to inhumane treatment.

The pair identified as Obayeghre Hope Ochuko (34) and Oyibo David Obukohwo (30) were allegedly beaten, mocked, and threatened with public exposure. The officers reportedly demanded huge sums of money in exchange for not releasing videos or photos of the raid.

Following the raid, the men’s identities became widely known in their communities. Family members and neighbors began to distance themselves, citing cultural and religious stigma. Community leaders described the incident as a “shame,” while others warned that further exposure could lead to violent attacks.

In Nigeria, same-sex relationships are criminalized under the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, which prescribes up to 14 years in prison for offenders. Human rights groups have repeatedly accused law enforcement of using the law to harass, extort, and brutalize suspected gay people.

Legal observers say the public humiliation of suspects stripping them, handcuffing them, and parading them in the rain violates basic human rights and presumption of innocence. Critics argue that such tactics not only endanger the lives of those accused but also fuel mob violence in a society where homosexuality is heavily stigmatized.

“We were treated like criminals, not for stealing or killing, but for who we are,” one of the men told reporters under condition of anonymity.