LGBTQ community in danger as mob lynch members, one declared wanted
By Ijeoma Okafor, Abuja
A Human right activist of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer community (LGBTQ), Mr Paschal Alex has lamented what he called endless persecution of the LGBTQ community in Nigeria.
Alex, who spoke to our correspondent, lamented that the members of LGBTQ community have become endangered species in the country.
Same sex relationship is prohibited by the Nigerian laws and has a penalty of 14 years imprisonment.
However, some of the LGBTQ members have also been victim of jungle justice.
Recalling some of the incidents, Alex said, “on the 16th day of June, 2023, the youths in the Kubwa area of Abuja lynched a young man who was identified as Mr Wellington Orisuoria to death.
“Eyewitness confirmed that Mr Wellington Orisuoria who was sober at the time, kept calling the name of his lover Harrison Odijie who was lucky to escape before the mob could get hold of him.
“Mr Wellington Orisuoria was up in flames before policemen could arrive the scene.
“Mr Harrison Odijie has been declared wanted by the police.”
He added that, “Just last month, a similar incident happened; this time it was Mrs Uwa who called the police on her husband after she caught him in bed with his male lover.
“Mrs Uwa explained that she has had long suspicion about her husband until she decided to spy on him and she was not wrong as her suspicion turned out to be reality.”
He urged that there should be respect for the right of members of the LGBTQ community, who he said could be found everywhere in the society among husbands, wives, brothers and sisters.
