The Nigeria Police have reportedly placed a 49-year-old man, Ajayi Abidemi Oriyomi, on a watch list over allegations of engaging in same-sex relationships.
According to information contained in a petition issued to the police IGP, Ajayi, who is described as a Yoruba man from Ogun State, was identified through a whistleblower report alleging that he had sexual relationships with both men and women making him a criminal under the law.
The petition also referenced Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, which prescribes penalties of up to 14 years’ imprisonment for offences contravening legitimate sexual orientation under the law.
Ajayi who was described as physically impaired, with a limp was said to have been the subject of a same sex criminal investigation that reportedly began in Northern Nigeria after evidence linked to the allegations was submitted to the police.
The investigation was said to have extended across several states in the country, including Oyo (Ibadan), Lagos and Ogun, where security operatives intensively searched for him. However, efforts to locate him were unsuccessful.
Sources cited in the petition claimed that Oriyomi was last seen around the Sango area of Ogun State, although further findings suggested that he may have travelled out or possibly hiding somewhere
within the country.
The development of the case has reportedly prompted the police and local security groups to accentuate efforts to locate him, thereby alerting community members and general public of the dangers attributed to association with such a dangerous man.
In the meantime, some individuals supposedly, relatives and community leaders have pledged their support to helping the authorities to track down Ajayi wherever he may be hiding. Members of the public were also urged to report his whereabouts to law enforcement agencies if seen.
