Furore in Enugu community as mourners lynch homosexual

By Chima Okoafor, Enugu

A young man, identified as Chiagozie Joseph Alumona from uzo-uwani local government area of Enugu State, was last week almost lynched to death after he was caught red-handed making love to a fellow man.

The incident happened on the 8 of December 2022 at Akpugo Nkanu West local Government area of Enugu State, Nigeria, a few days after the family of Nwobodo buried their deceased father, late Mr Nwobodo Nnabugo Jonathan.

A family source told our correspondent that Chiagozie arrived in the community two days before the burial ceremony to sympathise with his schoolmate, Emmanuel Nwobodo, who happens to be one of the sons of the deceased.

He, however, said little did they know that Chiagozie, a long time friend of their brother, Emmanuel, was into such an abominable act.

According to him, “it was in the night after the burial, we continued with other funeral ceremonies; sympathisers were still coming, so everywhere was still busy.

“At about 11pm on that fateful day, we needed Emmanuel’s attention, so our elder brother went to Emma’s room to check on him.

“As he entered the room, we heard him screaming; alu alu which in Igbo language means abomination, we all rushed to the room and saw our brother Emmanuel and his friend Chiagozie both naked.

“In fact our brother, met two of them actually making love; it was a horrible sight to behold, two men having sex?

“We could not believe our eyes; we could not believe that the so-called Chiagozie had destroyed our brother.

“They were both roommates in school; we didn’t know he had initiated our brother into such an abomination.”

Meanwhile, it was learnt that before Chiagozie escaped from the scene under a mysterious circumstance, he received the beating of his life.

“Our mother appealed that we should not kill him, that we should wait till morning to hand him over to the police; so we locked him up in the room; but when we got there in the morning, he was no longer there; we suspect he jumped through the window,” the family source further stated.

He, however, vowed that no matter how long it took, they would get Chiagozie to face the consequences of his actions.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the community’s Town Union, Chief Gabriel Nzekwe told journalists that “Chiagozie or whatever he calls himself desecrated our land and he will pay dearly for it.

“We are not going to take this; our community is known for chastity not this evil of higher proportion.

“We have reported the matter to security agencies and no matter how long he runs, we will get him.”

Our correspondent recalls that in 2014, Nigeria’s former President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill that criminalises same-sex relationships, defying western pressure over gay rights and provoking US criticism.

The bill, which contains penalties of up to 14 years in prison and bans gay marriage, same-sex “amorous relationships” and membership of gay rights groups, was passed by the National Assembly but Jonathan had delayed signing it into law.

However, he later signed the bill, attracting applause from the majority of Nigerians.