BENIN CITY – The Edo State Police Command said it has launched a manhunt for a woman and other persons allegedly involved in a same-sex party in Okada Community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, following a violent incident that left one person dead and several others injured.
It was gathered that the incident occurred last Saturday, after some youths in the community stormed the venue upon learning about the purpose of the meeting.
Properties estimated at millions of naira were allegedly destroyed, while several persons sustained injuries during the violence as attendees fled the scene.
Police identified the deceased as Franca Ugiagbe, while the prime suspect was named as Celestina Aituabhefe Ugiagbe, 45, an Italy-based Nigerian.
Some of those arrested in connection with the incident were said to have been hospitalized after sustaining severe injuries during the attack.
Others said to be in police custody are Tracy Otas, 23, an undergraduate, Osayi Ida, 19, Grace Okon, 33, and Toyin Adegboye, 51, a mother of two who owns a petrol station in the area.
When our reporter visited the scene, blood stains, damaged chairs, shattered window panes and other signs of destruction were seen around the building.
Residents who spoke with our reporter expressed varying views on the incident, as security personnel remained visible in the area.
“I know some of the women who attended the meeting. Some are from neighbouring communities including Ufuwmengbe, Usen, Uhen, Utese and Okada. Some are mothers, wives and young women. I was shocked when I heard about it,” a resident, Itua Chinaso, said.
Another resident said the deceased was known within the community and was the sister-in-law of one of the attendees who had lived abroad for many years.
Briefing journalists in Benin City, yesterday, spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said personnel at the divisional headquarters in Okada stopped the violence.
“Reports available to us revealed that some youths in the community invaded the venue after becoming aware of the meeting. The situation later degenerated into violence, resulting in one death, destruction of property and injuries to several persons,” SP Nwabuzor stated.
He stated that residents placed distress calls to security agencies, leading to the deployment of police personnel to restore normalcy.
According to him, several persons at the venue were arrested while one woman considered a key suspect escaped while receiving medical attention.
He further explained that “preliminary investigations revealed that the fleeing woman is suspected to be a key financier and organiser of alleged same-sex groups operating in Nigeria and some other West African countries”.
Nwabuzor said intelligence provided by suspects currently in custody would assist police in apprehending other persons linked to the incident.
He added that investigators had also invited the owner of the property where the meeting was held, while additional arrests had been made.
The police spokesman further warned members of the public against engaging in activities prohibited under the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013.
He added that investigations were ongoing to locate other persons believed to have links to the meeting and the attack.
Nwabuzor, however, declined to provide further details about the incident, saying that doing so could affect ongoing investigations.
