By Ade David
The city of Benin, Edo State, was thrown into turmoil on November 9, 2024, when a controversial case of same-sex relationship between young women took an alarming turn.
The incident involved a 26-year-old hairdresser apprentice, Miss Ogbemudia Christiana Osaherowen, and her trainer, identified as Madam Sophia Kehinde, a prominent salon owner in the Egor Local Government Area, Edo State.
Sources disclosed that Miss Ogbemudia and her trainer were caught engaging in intimate acts by a senior apprentice, identified as Miss Loveth Korede, who reportedly raised an alarm that attracted local vigilantee members and neighbours.
Sources said the situation escalated into mob violence, with the women subjected to severe physical assault.
It was gathered that Madam Kehinde was rushed to an unidentified hospital for treatment due to the injuries she sustained during the brutal assault but unfortunately she died shortly after making some statements to security operatives, a development that left the entire community in shock.
Whereas, Miss Ogbemudia surprisingly escaped the severe mob attack. It was gathered that some sympathetic neighbours must have compromised and assisted her to escape from the scene.
However, security operatives have declared Miss Ogbemudia Christiana Osaherowen wanted for alleged involvement in the incident.
As of press time, nobody could ascertain Miss Ogbemudia’s whereabouts.
Security Operatives have however urged the general public to provide useful information that may assist in locating the suspects.
Homosexual is a criminal offence in Nigeria and offenders are liable to 14 years imprisonment.
While some human rights advocates have since called for a review of Nigeria’s laws on same-sex relationships, pointing out the dangers posed by societal and institutional prejudices, others have argued that strict measures must be upheld to preserve the nation’s cultural and moral values.
