BENIN CITY- The police in Edo State have achieved a major success in the fight against same sex activities in the State, with the arrest of a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), group in Benin City.
Addressing newsmen at the State Police Command Headquarters in Benin City yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Moses Nkombe, said that the Police acting on a tip-off arrested four members of a six man LGBT group at a popular night club (name withheld) located along airport Road, Benin City on December 24, 2016. The four arrested persons were. Peter Osazee, Osa David, Eddy Osaro and Stanley Eze, while Gerrard Owie and Famous Emmanuel escaped arrest.
DSP Nkombe said that the police and vigilante members in the areas where Osas David and Famous Emmanuel live were aware of their homosexual activities, but they were hindered by the father of Osas, who is a very prominent and influential politician in the community. While the family of Famous and people in his area are aware of his abominable sexual preference.
The PPRO said that the police have declared Gerrard Owie and Famous Emmanuel wanted over their involvement in same sex crime and belonging to a LGBT group.
The increase in the same sex offence in the country is alarming Lesbianism. Homosexuality, Bisexuality and Transgender activities are taboo in African culture and tradition. Same sex relationship is a federal prohibition offence in Nigeria, offenders are liable to a maximum of fourteen 14 years imprisonment. While in communities in Nigeria, the practice is considered alien, a taboo and abomination. Culprits are in most cases burnt or stoned to death. The house of the offender is usually razed down and in some cases, the offenders are banished from the community. They are made to perform ritualistic sacrifices to cleanse the land of their evil deed before they are either killed or banished from the community.
The wherabouts of Gerrard Owie and Famous Emmanuel is unknown as at the time of writing this report.
