Delta State Police Declare 6 individuals Wanted for Alleged Participation in Same-Sex Wedding in Warri

The Delta State Police Command has declared six individuals,Abel odafe,chucks Emeka,kunle akikunmi,Romanus Omozokpea,oghale Efe Godfrey Akenuwa wanted for allegedly attending a same-sex wedding in Warri, Uvwie Local Government Area.

The suspects reportedly fled the scene during a police raid on the event, which resulted in the arrest of 67 individuals.

According to the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Wale Abbas, the operation was conducted based on intelligence reports about the gathering.

Officers from the Nigerian Police Force stormed the venue, apprehending 67 individuals believed to be participating in or witnessing the ceremony. However 6 others managed to escape and are now evading law enforcement.

One of the arrested individuals, identified as Jerry Osas, who is allegedly linked to Omozokpea, is currently in police custody.

Authorities have confirmed that Osas and others will soon be charged in court as investigations continue.

Sources within the police revealed that Jerry osas and Romanus Omozokpea had previously been accused of engaging in same-sex activities in 2021 in Benin but despite there being no legal case or proof against them at the time.

There presence at the alleged wedding ceremony has now raised further suspicions, leading law enforcement to intensify their search for Omozokpea and the other escapees.

Security agencies are actively tracking the whereabouts of Omozokpea and his five alleged associates. The police have urged members of the public with any relevant information to come forward and assist in ensuring the suspects are apprehended.

Same-sex relationships remain illegal in Nigeria under the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, which carries a penalty of up to 14 years in prison for those found guilty. The police have reiterated that those arrested will face prosecution in accordance with the law.

However, human rights organizations have condemned the arrests, calling them a violation of fundamental freedoms.

Advocacy groups argue that individuals should not be criminalized based on personal relationships or associations and have urged the Nigerian government to reconsider its stance on LGBTQ+ rights.

As legal proceedings against the detained individuals begin, law enforcement remains committed to tracking down the remaining suspects.

Authorities have assured that once apprehended, the escapees will face charges in court.

The incident has reignited debates on LGBTQ+ rights in Nigeria, with tensions between legal enforcement and human rights advocacy continuing to grow.

The coming days will determine the fate of those involved as investigations and legal actions progress.