The Edo State police have issued a wanted notice for Osayomore Gabriel Ugiagbe in connection with his alleged involvement in homosexuality.
Our reporter was informed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, that the arrested gay suspect, Fredrick Omene, during his confession, mentioned Osayomore Gabriel Ugiagbe, a man in his thirties, as his accomplice.
According to SP Nwabuzor, “It was following a tip-off that our Operation Rescue team raided a relaxation spot popularly known as the Ghetto in Benin City on the night of April 10, 2024. Luck ran out on Fredrick Omene, who was caught kissing another man named Johnson Okorie; both were naked and under the influence of drugs.
During interrogation the following morning, Fredrick Omene confessed that Osayomore Gabriel Ugiagbe is his gay partner, who must be brought to justice to face the law.
“It should be recalled that the increasing rate of homosexuality in Nigeria has caused serious concern among the populace, eventually leading to the law promulgated by the Federal Government to proscribe the activity, with penalties of up to 14 years or more in prison.
By the law, which was signed into effect by President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday, January 13, 2014, same-sex relationships, gay marriage, homosexuality, and membership in gay rights groups are regarded as serious criminal offenses in Nigeria, despite Western pressures over gay rights.
Homosexuality is also regarded as taboo and is sternly prohibited in Nigerian communities, which often prescribe harsher penalties, including stoning to death, for those caught engaging in the act.”
SP Nwabuzor, however, appealed to members of the public who may possess useful information leading to the arrest of the fleeing individual, Osayomore Gabriel Ugiagbe, assuring that such information would be rewarded and treated with strict confidentiality.
“The Edo Police Command has declared Osayomore Gabriel wanted. We are not giving up in our search for him even though he is nowhere to be found at the moment. We have visited Osayomore Gabriel Ugiagbe’s residence in Egor Local Government Area and his hometown in Igbobi in Ovia North East Local Government, and his people frown upon his involvement in homosexuality and have equally declared him wanted, stating that it is a sacrilegious act that requires deadly spiritual cleansing to appease the gods of the land.”
Culled from the Catholic Beacon May 2024 edition
