A significant development has emerged in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State involving two men charged under Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act.

One suspect, Agburum Victor, is currently in custody, while his partner, Godstime Omoze, has fled, prompting an ongoing manhunt and stirring concerns within the local community.

Reports indicate that local vigilantes detained Agburum after neighbors reported seeing an intimate encounter between the two men. Godstime escaped during the arrest, leaving Victor to face the consequences alone.

The raid was triggered by a tip from neighbors who alerted vigilantes to the alleged violation. In the chaos, Godstime managed to evade capture, leading to a trail of uncertainty.

As Agburum Victor awaits possible legal action, Godstime’s location remains unknown.

The vigilantes and community leaders suspect that someone might have assisted his escape, but their search has so far been unsuccessful.

This incident has highlighted the precarious situation of LGBTQ+ individuals in Nigeria.

The Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, enacted in 2014 during Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency, criminalizes same-sex relationships and LGBTQ+ advocacy, imposing severe penalties, including imprisonment.