…Community Chase LGBTQ Members As Police Closes Hotel

By Sabastine Chibuzor

Asaba: The Delta State Police Command has raided an Hotel (name withheld) in Asaba venue for the South-South LGBTQ Conference 2006, a program organized for the continuous mobilization, promotion and awareness of activities of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender activities in Nigeria.

The Conference held in Asaba Delta State Nigeria, has as its theme: “Promoting LGBTQ Activities And Confronting The Challenges, Especially Access To Healthcare Services In The New millennium.” 

The Conference had  Members of LGBTQ from the South-South States of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River States in Nigeria attending to show their support and determination in ensuring the Country recognises their challenges and health needs as citizens with rights and privileges.

The Conference, which commenced on the 5th of May 2006, lasted for four days in Asaba as Executives and members of LGBTQ in the six States used the platform of the event to deliberate on the way forward for the group, especially as their fundamental human rights, privileges and sexual preference have been denied.

Investigation revealed that some youths in the Community where the Conference was held discovered some strange faces in the area two days into the programme, and also saw high level of human activities and heavy vehicular movement, and decided to investigate their own way.

The youth leader, Timothy Akpos, said he took some of his youths to monitor this hotel and activities of persons around the area from the first day of the Conference, and discovered some strange characteristics exhibited by these people, and became more suspicious and curious about their activities.

After monitoring these people for three days, some of them were arrested. Those arrested include one Austin Osifo Agho (Edo State), Etim Bassey (Akwa-Ibom), and Adetunji Ismail Onibiyo, who is a Yoruba by name but claimed to be from Delta State. 

Timothy Akpos said, “They were arrested and taken to the Community town hall for interrogation obeying  the community elders’ instructions. They confessed their membership of LGBTQ, which was not clear to us.

“These persons clarified that as members of the group, they are gay, lesbians, bisexual and transgenders, they are in the town for a four days conference to deliberate on issues affecting their members and enlighten them in the region on how to take care of their health issues. These angered the youths who descended on them and were beaten seriously.

“The youths almost set the LGBTQ members on fire but for the quick intervention of the Community leaders and traditional ruler who advised against it and asked to invite the police rather than take laws into their hands.”

Akpos said the police were invited, and they came and took the three suspect into custody for further interrogation, which led to more revelations about the Conference in Asaba, Delta State. “The interrogation led to a mid-night raid as three persons were arrested as they led the police and other youths to the venue of the Conference where the sponsor, financier, promoter of the group as well as over 20 participants were all arrested not after serious clash leading to various injuries on the side of the police, youths and members of LGBTQ.

The leaders of the Conference who were arrested include Prof. Ejiofor Anthony, the financier (Enugu State); Prof. Hayatudeen Babajide, the organizer of the Conference (Lagos State) and Mr. Akintunde Olubode, (Oyo State).

Speaking to journalists after the arrest, Inspector Clement Ebuka said the hotel where the Conference occurred had been temporarily closed as the ongoing investigation contnues. He noted that one of the suspects, Etim Bassey, who led police to the program’s venue, escaped during the brawl that broke out as LGBTQ members were resisting arrest.

“We are in a difficult situation because Nigerian law does not recognise this crime committed. It has not been enshrined into our constitution, so it will be difficult to prosecute them. They are still in our custody pending advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).