By Efosa Collins
Two young women, Uboku Goodness Chisom and her partner, Chidera Nnaji, were nearly lynched recently by an angry mob when it was discovered that they were lesbians.
The incident happened at Ekewan Road, Ozigbo, Benin City, Edo State, South-South Nigeria.
According to sources, Uboku Goodness Chisom’s ordeal began after she fled her home following a sexual assault by her stepfather.
It was gathered that despite reporting the rape to her mother and security operatives, Chisom’s claims were dismissed, and she was thrown out of her house.
Seeking refuge, source said she turned to her close friend, Chidera Nnaji, who provided her with a place to stay and emotional support. The two women eventually became lesbians as they became romantically connected.
Source said they were however keeping their relationship secret due to the widespread societal and legal condemnation of lesbianism in Nigeria.
It was gathered that their secret was exposed when a neighbor caught them in an intimate moment. The neighbor alerted others, and soon, an enraged mob gathered at Nnaji’s residence along Ekewan Road, Ozigbo in Benin.
Source said the crowd dragged the women outside, beating and hurling stones at them. The attack was so severe that both women were hospitalized following various degree of injuries.
“Their bodies were battered and bruised. They were beaten for hours before being handed over to security operatives”, a source said
It was gathered that the security operatives detained the women, accusing them of engaging in a taboo and illegal acts.
According to sources, the security operatives have allegedly shown little interest in investigating the violent attack against the women and seemed indifferent to their pleas for help.
Fearing for their lives, Chisom and her partner later escaped the hospital and fled the city, leaving her location undisclosed.
Following thier disappearance, the mob have declared them wanted; threatening that they would kill them wherever they see them.
Chisom current whereabouts and her partner remains unknown, but their story underscores the harsh reality for LGBTQ+ individuals in Nigeria, where homosexuality is not only illegal but considered a societal taboo.
Relevant authorities are yet to comment on the incident or take action against the mob responsible for the brutal attack.
Meanwhile, The Factual Nigeria has gathered that human rights advocates are calling for an urgent investigation and the protection of LGBTQ+ rights, amidst a growing tide of homophobia and violence in Nigeria
