Police Arrest Suspected Homosexual Group Leader, Declare Others Wanted For Alleged Homosexual Activity

By Emma Akinbolusewa
The security operatives in Lagos have arrested a suspected leader of the LGBTI movement in Shomolu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, who was identified as Mr Rueben Ayodele.
The police have also declared his partner Shonibare Abimbola who escaped during his arrest, wanted. Others, including Xtopher Dayo, who is on the run after he fled police arrest when caught in a lounge in the Lekki area of Lagos having sex with a male partner and Adetunji Ismail Onibiyo, wanted for his alleged involvement in homosexual activities.
Ayodele was said to have been on the police wanted list since 2019, after he escaped arrest in Igbuobazuwa, Ovia South-West local government area of Edo State until he was caught recently in the act of homosexuality with his partner Shonibare Abimbola in a hotel (name withheld). He was said to have established an Oracle Center for gays and lesbians to worship in Igbuobazuwa.
Reports have it that Reuben Ayodele escaped initial arrest following a revolt that led to the death of one of the LGBTI top members, identified as Sylvia Udo Igbolor, in January 2020. He was said to be the group leader in Okada, Ovia West Local Government Area, Edo state. Following his arrest, Reuben Ayodele is said to have implicated one Adetunji Ismail Onibiyo and Xtopher Dayo as a group members.
Reuben was said to have also confessed that Adetunji Onibiyo is a top mobilizer of LGBTI in the South-West and a front-line push for Ododuwa nation. He believes that Ododuwa nation would be friendly with LGBTI and one of their strong supporter and sponsor of homosexual activities in Lagos.
According to the Police Investigating Officer (IPO) Inspector Adekunle Kolawole, Adetunji Onibiyo was first arrested for the alleged crime in 2006. However, Nigerian law did not recognize the crime then, so it became difficult for the police to press charges against him and his gang; he then was later released about a year after the intervention of Civil Society Organizations and human rights activists.
Inspector Kolawole said, “Adetunji Ismail Onibiyo was implicated in a homosexual case in 2019 also”. His late brother, Ibrahim Onibiyo, a transgender person, was killed by mob action after his involvement in homosexual acts. He also confessed that he and his brother were active members and influential in his participation in homosexual activities.
The IPO also said that a case of homosexual activities had been reported against Adetunji Onibiyo by 25-year-old Timothy Akintunde was reported to have once been molested by Adetunji Ismail Onibiyo.
He was said to have taken advantage of the poor background of the young man to influence him into homosexual activities by enticing him through financial rewards and expensive gifts.
While police authority in the area is still investigating the case, it has declared that Adetunji Ismail Onibiyo, who is instrumental in the case, is wanted, but his whereabouts remain unknown.
The police advise the general public to report any suspected members of LGBTI to the nearest police station. “The Force is committed to working with anyone or a group of persons with any information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of homosexual offenders”, IPO Adekunle Kolawole said.