BY FRANK ANAYO
OWERRI: Two homo suspects who desecrated the annual masquerade celebration in Umuabiahu village in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo state , are now on the run following a formal report made to the police over their indecent sexual behaviour.
The suspects, Amaobi Udoka and Nnamdi Azu were allegedly caught in the act during the community’s annual Egu Igbagwu Day (Masquerade Dance) on December 24, 2015.
Both suspects were said to have been thoroughly beaten before they were taken to the community head to decide their fate.
Our correspondent gathered that while many of the villagers were of the opinion that the two homo suspects be banished from the community, the clan head. Eze.(Chief) Mgbecheta Nwabugwu said it would be proper that the duo be made to perform the traditional cleansing rituals before being handed over to the police for prosecution.
They were however given seven days to procure materials for the traditional cleansing rituals as they were deemed to have desecrated the annual masquerade dance which is revered in the community.
It was further learnt that the people of Umuabiahu village were woken to a rude shock when they learnt that both culprits had disappeared from the community before the expiration of the seven days given to them.
News of their sudden disappearance triggered a violent protest by the youths and the custodians of the annual masquerade dance who had earlier demanded that both men be stoned and paraded nude through the village.
To stem further protest over the matter in the village, Eze Nwabugwu has therefore ordered that the two suspects be arrested by the police and prosecuted for sodomy.
The traditional ruler had also appealed to his people , especially , youths of the community to remain calm while efforts are made to bring the two homo suspects to book.
