By Andy Egbon
The Police in Benin City have arrested four persons and declared two others wanted following a raid on a popular nightclub along Airport Road in the Edo State capital over alleged involvement in same-sex activities, an offence under Nigerian law.
The development was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command, DSP Moses Nkombe, while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Benin City.
According to Nkombe, the arrests were made on December 24, 2016, after police received intelligence reports about a group allegedly involved in same-sex relationships in the city.
Acting on the tip-off, police operatives stormed the nightclub where four suspects were apprehended during the operation. Those arrested were identified as Peter Osazee, Osa David, Eddy Osaro and Stanley Eze.
However, the police spokesman stated that two alleged key figures believed to be the ringleaders of the group, Gerrard Owie and Famous Emmanuel, managed to escape during the raid alongside some others present at the scene.
Nkombe said preliminary investigations suggested that the suspects belonged to a six-member group allegedly engaged in same-sex activities within the area, adding that Owie and Emmanuel were considered the principal actors in the alleged network.
He disclosed that the two fleeing suspects had since been declared wanted by the police, while efforts were ongoing to track them down and bring them into custody.
The police spokesman further alleged that residents and vigilante groups in neighbourhoods where some of the suspects reside had previously raised concerns about their activities.
He claimed that in the case of Osa David, attempts by members of the community to take action had been complicated by the influence of his father, whom he described as a prominent and influential political figure in the area.
He also alleged that residents in the neighbourhood where Emmanuel lives were aware of his sexual orientation.
Nkombe warned that the police would intensify efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects, stressing that security agencies were already working to locate them.
Under Nigerian law, same-sex relationships are prohibited, and persons convicted under the relevant provisions may face penalties of up to 14 years’ imprisonment.
Authorities also noted that in many Nigerian communities, such practices are widely regarded as contrary to prevailing cultural and traditional norms.
At the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of the two wanted suspects remained unknown, while police said investigations into the matter were continuing.
