How mob attack forces Edo man to flee community over alleged homosexual relationship

By Elijah Adeyemi    -An Edo State indigene identified as Mr. Efe Omorogbe, was brutally attacked recently by irate youths in his community over an alleged homosexual relationship.

It was gathered that the attack landed him in undisclosed hospital through the help of a good Samaritan, before he later fled from the community.

According to sources, Efe Omorogbe became the target of violent attacks after some youths in the community accused him of having homosexual relationship with another man, a development that sparked outrage among residents, who considered the alleged act contrary to the community’s traditional and religious values.

Sources said the victim was violently assaulted by several members of the community and beaten unconscious and abandoned him on the spot believing he was dead.

Efe Omorogbe however survived after a passerby rescued him and rushed him to a hospital, where he reportedly spent more than two weeks receiving treatment for severe injuries sustained during the attack.

It was gathered that after his recovering, he reported the matter to security operatives who arrested the attackers and charged them to a Magistrate Court.

Unfortunately, according to sources, his decision to seek justice further worsened his situation.

It was gathered that community leaders summoned him to explain the alleged homosexual conduct and questioned why he had reported members of the community to law enforcement authorities.

It was gathered that many residents subsequently viewed him as someone who had brought shame and dishonour to his family and community, as the elders and leaders of the community claimed that the act was an abomination that attracts capital punishment.

According to sources, after the suspects were granted bail, fresh threats emerged against Efe Omorogbe and meetings were reportedly held by some community members to locate and apprehend him, while groups of youths repeatedly visited his residence in search of him.

It was gathered that he received numerous messages warning him to leave the community immediately to save his life.

It was also gathered that he was condemned for attracting the wrath of the gods and bringing misfortune upon the community.

Efe Omorogbe was said to have gone into hiding in view of the daily life threat he was receiving, and eventually and eventually ran away from the community.

Although no one seems to know his whereabouts, our correspondent reported that the leaders and youth in the community are making frantic efforts to locate and apprehend him to face the gracious consequences of committing such a perceived shameful and abomination act.

The incident highlights the deep social stigma surrounding homosexuality in many parts of Nigeria despite ongoing campaigns by local and international human rights organisations advocating for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons.

Nigeria’s legal framework remains one of the strictest in Africa regarding same-sex relationships. The Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, signed into law in 2014, prohibits same-sex unions and related activities.

Under the law, individuals found guilty of entering into a same-sex marriage or civil union face up to 14 years imprisonment, while those involved in supporting or promoting such relationships may also face criminal sanctions.

Over the years, human rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have campaigned against discrimination and violence directed at LGBT persons, arguing that all citizens deserve protection regardless of sexual orientation.

Despite such advocacy, homosexuality remains widely rejected across Nigerian society, where cultural, religious and traditional beliefs strongly oppose same-sex relationships.