The Edo State Police Command has launched a manhunt for two alleged ringleaders of a same-sex syndicate following a targeted raid on a popular nightclub along Airport Road in Benin City.
During a press briefing at the command headquarters, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Moses Nkombe, confirmed that four suspects identified as Peter Osazee, Osa David, Eddy Osaro, and Stanley Eze were taken into custody during the operation conducted on December 24, 2016.
The intervention followed high-level intelligence reports suggesting that a organized group was utilizing the venue for activities that violate the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of Nigeria.
Despite the swift execution of the raid, the two primary figures suspected of coordinating the group’s activities, Gerrard Owie and Famous Emmanuel, managed to evade arrest along with several other associates.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the command indicate that the suspects are part of a six-member network deeply embedded within the local community.
DSP Nkombe officially declared Owie and Emmanuel wanted, asserting that police operatives are currently trailing the fugitives to ensure they are brought to justice for their alleged roles as the principal actors in the network.
The investigation has further revealed a history of friction between the suspects and their local neighborhoods.
According to the police spokesperson, residents and members of community vigilante groups had previously raised alarms regarding the suspects’ conduct.
In a specific instance involving Osa David, authorities noted that local efforts to address the situation were allegedly stymied by the political influence of his father, a prominent figure in the area.
Similarly, the police claimed that the sexual orientation of Famous Emmanuel was a matter of public knowledge among his neighbors prior to the raid.
The Edo State Police Command has issued a stern warning that it will intensify its search for the fleeing suspects, emphasizing that Nigerian law remains unequivocal regarding the prohibition of same-sex relationships.
With the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act carrying a potential penalty of up to 14 years’ imprisonment, the police have reaffirmed their commitment to enforcing the statute, which aligns with prevailing cultural and traditional norms across the country.
While the whereabouts of Owie and Emmanuel remain unknown, the command continues to process the four suspects currently in detention as investigations evolve.
