By Our Correspondent
The Edo State Police Command has declared one Frank Junior Agbonkhese wanted in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged same-sex practice involving multiple suspects in Benin City.
According to reports, the matter came to public attention following an incident said to have occurred on February 14, 2024, in a remote community within the Benin area, where one Opeyemi Shittu was allegedly apprehended alongside another male suspect identified simply as David after they were reportedly caught by a resident who raised an alarm.
Residents in the area were said to have gathered at the scene before police officers on patrol intervened and rescued the suspects from mob action.
The two individuals were subsequently taken into police custody for further investigation.
In a statement made available to journalists in Benin City, the Edo State Police Command confirmed that it was investigating allegations involving the suspects after nude photographs allegedly linking Frank Junior Agbonkhese to the two arrested suspects were reportedly discovered on the phone of one of the suspects.
The Command further disclosed that Opeyemi Shittu later reportedly died from injuries allegedly sustained during the mob attack before police intervention.
Police added that the second suspect, identified simply as David, is assisting investigators, while further information obtained during the investigation allegedly linked Frank Junior Agbonkhese to the case.
The Command appealed to members of the public with useful information regarding the whereabouts of the wanted suspect to report to the nearest police station or contact the Edo State Police Command.
Meanwhile, the development has continued to generate reactions within the community, with some residents expressing shock over the allegations and others calling for due process and a thorough police investigation.
A resident, Michael Ojo, described the allegations as disturbing and urged young people to uphold moral values, while another family source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the situation had caused emotional distress for every relatives of the wanted suspect as they all seemed not to be aware of his secret involvement in the sacrilegious act of same-sex practice during his undergraduate years..
Efforts to reach members of the Agbonkhese family for official comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
However, a family source disclosed that the suspect’s mother was currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed location following reports surrounding the incident.
Under Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, violators are liable to a minimum of 10 years imprisonment upon conviction.
