Anti-LGBTQ Coalition Vows To Clamp Down On Suspects Across Nigeria

By Our Reporters

Obviously excited by the recent victory of Mr. Donald Trump in the United States Presidential election, some anti-same sex relationship elements in Nigeria are gearing up to clamp down on the increasing same-sex culture in various parts of the country.

Trump is believed to be a strong opponent of same-sex marriage and any semblance of it, just as he is strongly expected to encourage any fight against it in developing countries soon as he assumes office in a few weeks time.

Investigations by our Reporters revealed that some personalities who were in the news of late as having led attacks on some suspected gays, lesbians and bi-sexual elements in some Southern states of Nigeria are already coming together to form an Anti-LGBTQ Coalition.

The Coalition is intended to take a lead in the fight against Lesbianism, Gay, Bi-sexuality, Transgender and Queer culture which is increasingly being promoted in parts of Nigeria particularly in the Southern states.

The proponents of the Coalition according to our investigation include the Sharia Enforcement Commander in the Muslim dominated part of Delta State, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar and Mr. Momodu Bukhari, an ardent Muslim reputed for his strong adherence to Islamic tenets. He hails from the northern part of Edo State which is largely populated by Islamic faithfuls.

It was also gathered that some community youths and local vigilante groups are collaborating with some of the identified proponents to give the Coalition an effective take off particularly as they are alleged to have secured the backing of Police.

A local vigilante commander at Ugbor, a suburb of Benin-City, the Edo State capital identified as Mr. Godwin Omoruyi was said to have vowed to collaborate with other interested Nigerians to fight what he called the “emerging menace of gay culture.”. His group had reportedly hired thugs to attack the family of one Raymond Peter Asiwe suspected to be involved in gay practice some weeks ago.

According to our investigation, the Anti-LGBTQ Coalition members are reportedly getting huge financial support from a former Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Tonye Emmanuel Isenah who recently declared ‘war’ against his relation and one time close associate Mr. Rowell Zibo Festus suspected to be a member of the illegal same-sex group.

A very credible source told our correspondent that the former Law-maker has already started spending money in sponsoring the meetings of the Anti-LGBTQ Coalition members in the Southern part of Nigeria. He has reportedly assured members of the Coalition of his readiness to use his financial and political influence to back up the group in its effort to put an end to the same sex culture and if possible eliminate whoever is caught still in the practice.

The Nigerian government some years ago outlawed same sex relationship via the SAME SEX MARRIAGE (PROHIBITION) ACT, 2013. This law among other things prohibits marriage or civil union by persons of same sex, solemnisation of same sex marriage in places of worship and registration of homosexual clubs and societies. Any breach of this law attracts no less than 10 years imprisonment on the part of the offender.

Some Southern states’ governors are said to have given nod to the proponents of the proposed Coalition of Anti-LGBTQ as the culture seems to be more common in the Christian dominated areas where liberal tendency seems to be in place unlike the Muslim north where the Sharia law is very effective in dealing with such culture. Bayelsa State former Speaker is said to be coordinating efforts at the Governors’ level with a view to getting stronger support for the Coalition.

Some anonymous commentators interviewed by our Reporter contended that the law against same sex relationship is not quite effective due to the involvement of highly placed persons. However, they believe that with the coming of the Coalition, such high profile persons would be exposed as the youths in the Coalition who have been opposed to LGBTQ would go all out to fight even to death of anyone suspected to be involved.

In many reported incidents of same sex relationship in recent time, some aggrieved youths were alleged to have descended on the family members of their suspects who could not be found at the various times they invaded their residences.

Among them was one Osakpolor Iyasere whose mother, sister and brother were injured by angry youths who stormed their Benin-City residence sometime in November, 2023 on allegation that he was in same sex civil union with one Abdul Bukhari whose father is now a strong member of the emerging Anti-LGBTQ Coalition.

Media report recently also revealed how in Imo State, Aboh Mbaise community youths and vigilante operatives in collaboration with police men arrested one Chinyere and attacked family of Onyinyechi Maria Njoku both of whom were said to be in same sex relationship.

This came just as youths led by the Sharia Enforcement Commander in Uvwie community of Delta State attacked the family of one Bright Anie said to be promoting gay culture among the youths of the area. His father was reportedly injured severely while his mother and a neighbor were killed in the attack launched principally to apprehend Bright. Ironically, he had reportedly fled Nigeria without the attackers knowing before they stormed his family residence.

On October 8, 2024 thugs allegedly hired by local vigilante members in Ugbor, Edo State had attacked the family House of Raymond Peter Asiwe, a suspected gay.

The same attack was reportedly launched against Rowell Zibo Festus in Bayelsa State by angry youths sponsored by the former Speaker, Tonye Emmanuel Isenah against Rowell Zibo Festus.

Media reports also have it that some time in September, 2024 following the disclosure that one Mrs. Atinuke Ogunremi was involved in Bisexual relationship, some angry Islamic youths Lagos, had attacked her parents’ home injuring the father, mother and two sisters. This was in addition to destruction of the family’s household property.

The masterminds of the attack were said to be the father in-law of Atinuke; Mr. Bala Ogunremi, who is described as a staunch Moslem and his associate named Usman Sabo said be a popular Sharia Commander in the community.

Both Ogunremi and Sabo were said to have been approached recently to join the Anti-LGBTQ Coalition. Our source said they had given their nod and promised to attend the next meeting of Coalition members.