BENIN CITY – There was panic in parts on Sapele Road, Benin City, Edo State, after a late-night operation by a police special squad, working alongside local vigilante operatives, disrupted activities at Sunray Hotel and triggered a frantic search for several young women who fled the scene, including Sarah Ejoor, Jessica Amata and one Phil who were alleged to be the main organisers of the gathering.
The operation, which happened in the outskirt of the city, reportedly followed intelligence suggesting suspected same-sex gatherings at the facility.
Witnesses said that the raid unfolded suddenly, leaving guests startled as security operatives moved quickly through corridors and rooms, demanding identification and separating occupants.
In the confusion that followed, some of the women at the hotel managed to escape. Among them were the three main organisers who were said to have slipped out through a less monitored exit as the situation escalated.
Their disappearance quickly drew attention, with operatives launching a search in surrounding streets shortly after.
Residents nearby decried the tense atmosphere, with some saying they were woken by commotion and voices outside.
Others said that the night felt unsettled as people ran in different directions, unsure of what was happening or who was being targeted in the operation.
While the exact number of those who fled or were taken away has not been confirmed, the search for the escapees reportedly continued into the early hours of the morning.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to issue an official statement clarifying the outcome of the raid.
The incident has since become a quiet talking point in the community, with questions being raised about the manner of the operation and its impact on those caught up in it.
For now, the whereabouts of Sarah and the others who fled remain unknown, leaving behind a trail of uncertainty.
