By: Sunday Osas, Benin City.

One person was reportedly killed while several others sustained injuries following a violent incident linked to an alleged same-sex gathering in Okada Community in Edo State.

The Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Benin City, the state capital, last Thursday.

SP Nwabuzor stated that operatives of Okada divisional headquarters received a distress call and immediately mobilised to the crime scene.

According to him, police recovered the body of a woman later identified as Franca Ugiagbe and arrested some individuals, including one Celestina Aituabhefe Ugiagbe, 45, an Italy-based Nigerian.

He added that those arrested were taken to hospital for treatment following injuries allegedly inflicted on them during the attack, while a key suspect reportedly escaped while receiving medical attention.

The police spokesman explained that preliminary investigations revealed that some youths in the community allegedly launched the attack after learning of the gathering, which they considered contrary to their traditional and cultural practices.

“About 7:00 p.m. on Saturday
, July 20, 2024, operatives of Okada Divisional Headquarters received distress calls from residents that violent youths had invaded an all-female gathering at a location in the town.

“Reports available to us revealed that some youths in the community invaded the venue after becoming aware of the gathering. The situation later degenerated into violence, resulting in one death, destruction of property and injuries to several persons.

“During the incident, a woman identified as Franca Ugiagbe, who was said to be the sister-in-law of the fleeing Italy-based woman, lost her life, further escalating tensions in the area.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the fleeing woman is suspected to be a key financier and organiser of alleged same-sex groups operating in Nigeria and some other West African countries.

“Some of the suspects in our custody Including Tracy Otas, 23, an undergraduate, Osayi Ida, 19, Grace Okon, 33, and Toyin Adegboye, 51 have given us useful information that will assist in her arrest and others currently at large”, SP Nwabuzor said.

On efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects and their attackers, the police spokesman stated that “investigators have also invited the owner of the property where the meeting was held and additional arrests have been made. They can run, but they cannot hide from justice. They will eventually be prosecuted accordingly.

“Let me advise members of the public to refrain from engaging in criminal activities, particularly those prohibited under the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013, as offenders may face penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment upon conviction under certain provisions of the law. Beyond legal consequences, such individuals may also become exposed to threats or acts of jungle justice, although the law does not permit self-help or mob action,”Nwabuzor said.