By Nosayaba Kingston

BENIN: No fewer than six lesbians and four gays were wounded as one Osas Esther was killed following injury she sustained during a fracas as lesbians and gays members engaged themselves in a free for all fight at a birthday party organised to celebrate one of their own in Ekpoma, Edo State.

It was gathered that on Sunday 25th of May, 2014 different LGBTQ groups and their members came from across the South-South Region of Balyesa, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Delta State to host a birthday party in Edo State to celebrate one Osariemen Clara Okundia in an undisclosed Hotel in Ekpoma, Esan West.

Investigation revealed that one Davina Amayo and some LGBTQ members who came from a Higher Institution (namewitheld) in Delta State caused the fracas in the party which was organised to celebrate the birthday of Osariemen Clara Okundia in an Hotel (name Witheld)  in Ekpoma, Edo State.

Report had it that the said Amayo claimed that she lost her lover to one Osas Esther who systematically took her lover away from her by offering her an unsolicited gifts.

The death of Osas Esther resulted to tension in Ekpoma and the police was quickly invited by the manager of the Hotel where the party was held. The elders of the community also deploy their youths across the Community to ensure peace.

According to the police, those who participated in the party in Ekpoma went hiding. Some of the injured who were recieving treatment in the hospital all ran to undisclosed location to continue treatment.

The police began a manhunt for all those who attended the party as they will be useful during investigation as information from them will help in finding out what happened on the said date.

The search of the police yeilded result as some of those who attended the party were arrested. Odiboh Nosa, and seven others who escaped from Ekpoma when the news of the fight filtered into Ekpoma town were among those arrested. 

One of the investigating police officer identified as inspector Eromosele of the Division Police Command, Ekpoma said intelligent report disclosed that one Odiboh Nosa who is 22 years of age and was stabbed on the chest at the party was receiving treatment in hospital in Irrua Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

He said the police promptly swang into action early this morning and monitored him until he was arrested today Tuesday 27th of May 2014 at about 13: 00 hrs where he was recieving treatment for the injury he sustained during the party.

Another lesbian who was later arrested by the police identified herself as Lawretta said she came from Agbor to Ekpoma to attend the party but not with the intension to fight in the party. “I was aware that there was a party in Ekpoma but didn’t knew that there would be a fight. 

“We were just having a nice time when a fight suddenly broke out and dangerous weapons were used freely and blood everywhere as people were just stabbing themselves. One of the stabbed lesbian identified as Osas Esther died before getting to the hospital while I survived.

 “I counted over 10 persons who were injured and Osas Esther who was amongst those stabbed died on the way to the hospital while a gay friend Odiboh Nosa and some others stabbed all went into hiding for treatment, but I heard some of them are in Police custody now”.

As at the time of filling in this report the police have arrested over seven of the suspects with the help of the youths who identified themselves as Ekpoma Concerned Youths and others who are helping the police with relevant information that will lead to the arrest of others and unravel the true situation that led to the death of Osas Esther.