In a dramatic turn of events, the quiet neighbourhood of Odunlami, Lagos Island, was thrown into chaos on Saturday afternoon, July 6, 2024, when a team of eight armed policemen stormed the residence of Mr. Owolabi Sanni. The officers arrived in a Toyota Hilux pickup truck, accompanied by a handcuffed man, intent on arresting Mr. Sanni, who is suspected of being a member of a gay club.
Our correspondent at the scene reported that the raid was part of a larger sting operation by the Nigerian Police Force, aimed at identifying and arresting members of a notorious gay club based in Delta State.
According to one of the officers, the police had received a tip-off regarding a gay wedding in Delta State, which led to the arrest of several individuals. The officer also noted that this was the second visit to Mr. Sanni’s residence, the first occurring in August 2023.
The handcuffed man, apprehended at the wedding, identified Mr. Sanni as a key club member. Further investigation revealed that Mr. Sanni’s fiancée, Miss Remilekun, allegedly caught him in a compromising position with another man in his apartment last year.
Miss Remilekun’s account was corroborated by a local grocery vendor, who recounted the distressing moment when Miss Remilekun visited her shop in tears, describing her shocking discovery.
The vendor, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed to our correspondent that Owolabi was caught by his fiancée in a compromising situation. “Remilekun has a cordial relationship with me and often buys groceries here during her visits to Uncle Owolabi,” she said.
She also mentioned that Miss Remilekun reported the matter to his family, who have not taken it lightly. Since the incident, Owolabi has disappeared from the area.
Further investigation revealed that a family member, wishing to remain anonymous, insisted on spiritual cleansing for the suspect. The family member, identified as Mr. Sanni’s brother, stated that they tried to prevail on him to undergo spiritual cleansing, but he refused and absconded.
“Because we couldn’t find him, we reported to the police to help us locate and possibly arrest him so we can take him for spiritual cleansing.”
Residents of the community were in disbelief, as Mr. Sanni is known to be a quiet, kind, and playful individual. One neighbour expressed shock, stating, “We have never seen such an act from the police force before and could not believe that Mr. Sanni is actually gay.
“They were here last year looking for him but couldn’t find him. At that time, they were not this aggressive. He is always nice and kind to everyone, so we are all surprised to hear the news. For the police to come again this year and be more aggressive means the issue is far more serious.”
Despite a thorough search, the police were unable to locate Mr. Sanni, as he was absent from his residence, and no one in the neighbourhood could provide information about his whereabouts. The police have urged community members to report any information regarding Mr. Sanni’s location to the Nigerian Police Force.
As the manhunt for Mr. Sanni continues, this incident has sparked discussions and concerns among the residents, who are grappling with the implications of such a high-profile raid in their otherwise peaceful neighbourhood.
The Nigerian Police Force remains resolute in its mission to bring all suspects to justice and has assured the public that they are committed to upholding the law and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.