Some persons, who claimed to have been illegally arrested and detained cried out from the police detention over unfounded allegations, describing their arrest and detention as a tampering on their fundamental human right as Nigeria citizens.

Speaking on behalf of the detainees, Chibuzo Akpan, Akinola Michael, Michael Samuel, Ismail Abdulkadri, Chris Nwabuzo, and Sunday Adebayo, among others, Alphonsus Ikegwuonu Nwachukwu, a 37 year old graduate of Industrial Chemistry, accused the security agency of alleged intimidation and harrassment over their involvement in same sex marriage.

He spoke at a news conference shortly after their release from B Division police station, Makurdi, where they were allegedly being detained over alleged involvement in same sex marriage.

Nwachukwu, a native of oko village ideani in Anambra State, who is the manager of Great Johny Phonso and Company Limited in Makurdi, Benue State of Nigeria, called on Benue state government to save them from security agencies, and untimely death.

“We are members of Lgbtq in Makurdi, Benue state in Nigeria, a club comprises of professionals and responsible citizens.

“For me as a person and human, I am a bisexual human creature, meaning I can have sex with either a male or a female, I realise this right from my childhood age of 16.

“Most of us are graduate of St Charles Special Science School, Onitsha for our Senior Secondary School education from 2001 to 2004, where I was the class captain.

“Many of us later gained admission into various universities, but for me, it was Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka in Anambra State, in October 2006, to study Industrial Chemistry, where I met several students in same sex relationship.

“We all formed a clandestine known as the Rainbow Club; which is basically for LGBTQ personality.

“I had several friends from both sexes during my stays in the university, and we both stayed in ZIK hall Box room from our year 3 to final year as we are both in same department in the university.

“Staying in the same room, (box room) gives us opportunity to engage in discussions about sexual activity without hindrance.

“We attended one of our club members wedding ceremony in a hotel owned by another club member (City Bay, located around Savannah roundabout, High Level, Makurdi, Benue State precisely on 30/12/2023.

“It was during the wedding ceremony that the police busted and arrested us, but were later released on bail, with the instructions that we must all report at the police station on 04/01/2024 for further investigation.

“The wedding was between two club members Chekwube Okeke and Raphel Okonkwo, where 45 club members were arrested, including myself.”

It could be recalled that the long existing Nigeria Criminal Code of Chapter 42, Section 214 states that, “any person who has carnal knowledge of another person against the order of nature, or permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature, is guilty of a felony and liable to imprisonment for fourteen (14) years.

“In 2014, the then President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan signed into law the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act 2014 which provides jail terms of up to 10 years for homosexuals and also punishes people who register, operate or participate in same sex clubs, societies and organizations, or directly makes a public show of same sex relationships in Nigeria.

“Because of these laws, the vast majority homophobic population of Nigeria have been emboldened to hunt down and lynch real or perceived LGBTQ people.

“LGBTQ folks like myself live in constant fear knowing this might be my fate any day. I feel I have been stripped of my human rights to be who I am without fear of fatalities.

“It is on this premise that am unjustly persecuted, hence crying out for protection from untimely death, imprisonment, punishment and discrimination from the police.

“I therefore call on the Inspector General of Police and Benue state government to save me from untimely death, humiliation, among several other punishment.

Concerned Nigerian Youths Coordinator, Pastor Fola Ojo, made the call in Ibadan, Oyo-State on the 30th day of November,2023 while responding to a letter of complaint against the fugitive lesbian, Miss.Serifat Bukola Azeez.

Ojo urged youths against homosexuality, rather engage in meaningful ventures to better their future.

According to a letter of complaints made available to our reporter in Ibadan on Friday, the offences are contrary to Sections 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 of Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, 2013.

The letter written on behalf of the concerned youths by their Counsel, A.O. Okunade (Esq.) Petitioner’s Solicitor) and addressed to the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ekiti State Command, Ikere Road, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

According to the letter, the petitioner’s solicitor said, “Our services have been retained by the Concerned for Nigerian Youths.

“Representatives of the youths, Pastor Fola Ojo and Mrs. Gbadebo Grace stated that on 15th day of October, 2023, one Miss Sherifat Bukola Azeez and 30 others conducted a symposium in support of same Sex Marriage; Gay and Lesbian wherein some youths were initiated into Lesbian and Gay society.

“Our Client went further that at Adebayo, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti-State, the youths were seen pasting banners and distributing handbills within Ado-Ekiti Metropolis.

“However, it must be noted that this act is not only against Islamic, Christian and Traditional tenets, but also contradict the natural and moral rules.

“lt is believed that spreading of this unconsecrated act is gaining ground in Ekiti-State and other States and if not promptly tamed or checked, Miss. Sherifat Bukola Azeez and her cohorts will definitely defile our youths against God’s way and parental trainings.

The group therefore stated further that efforts have been out in all States of the Federation to checkmate the agitators of this unholy practices.

“Similarly, much as we do not wish to trail the old parts of stoning or burning these charlatans into ashes, we wish to state that the total premonition should be considered to avoid breaking down of laws and order or to prevent undefiled and panicky youths from taking laws in their hands.”

The counsel therefore urged the NSCDC to use their good office to speedily investigate the matter and act on its outcome as delay might be too dangerous.

The counsel concluded by saying that “A stitch in time saves nine.”

Photo News: Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja Pays Courtesy Call to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Lagos House, Marina today Monday, October 9,2023

1l-r: Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja presents a complimentary plaque to Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during a courtesy call to the governor at the Lagos House, Marina.

From right: Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja and his entourage during a courtesy call to the governor at the Lagos House, Marina

l-r: Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja with Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during a courtesy call to the governor at the Lagos House, Marina

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (middle); Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja (sixth left); Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Gboyega Akosile (fourth left); Commander, 9 Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment, Brigadier General Adegoke Adetuyi (left); Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Tayo Ayinde (fourth right) and others, during the Chief of Army Staff courtesy call to the governor, at the Lagos House, Marina.

Oyetola noted that it had become imperative for the two communities to put an end to the avoidable crisis that had escalated to destruction of property, killings and maiming of one another since the crisis erupted, saying that “it is better to jaw-jaw,” than resort to violence.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, the minister commiserated with the families and relatives of those who lost their lives to the violence and also sympathised with those who lost their valued property.

The former governor who said whenever the crisis erupted in the past, it was usually deescalated through the traditional rulers, wondered why this latest violence was allowed to degenerate to this level.

Describing peace as sine qua non to human existence, Oyetola said it is always good to come to the round table for dialogue and negotiation than to resort to violence in whatever circumstance, saying God knows why He destined the two towns of Ifon and Ilobu to border each other.

He said the two communities must stop the fight permanently, jettison their differences and continue to live together as brothers and sisters by continually taking maximum advantage of their unity and togetherness as well as the prospects in their diversity regardless of borders and boundaries.

“With my sojourn in life, I have come to realise that nothing good can come from communal clash and as such, every being must do everything humanly possible to forestall fight of any nature. It is quite unfortunate and shocking to receive the news of clashes between two of our notable towns (Ilobu and Ifon-Osun) in the state.

“While I acknowledge whatever the reason that might have led to the avoidable crisis leaving many dead, I want to vehemently note that no matter the issue at stake, it is not worth the life of any Osun citizen. I, therefore, appeal to our people to sheath their sword and allow peace to reign forthwith.

“Taking a look at number of casualties recorded in the last few days while the crisis lasted, it is apparent that dialogue and negotiation would have been more profitable and rewarding if that path had been genuinely taken by the two communities.

“I appeal to the traditional leaders of the two communities and beyond to opt for dialogue in resolving contentious issues in order to restore peace and tranquility to the land.

“I want to use this opportunity to commiserate with the families of the victims who have lost their loved ones to the needless crisis. I also sympathise with those who lost their property. May Almighty God repose the souls of the dead and restore peace to the affected communities”, Oyetola said.

Parents should warn their children, today will be brutal.

That’s usually at the tale end of the masquerade festival when all the senior and traditional masquerades must have retired to the groove (Igbó ìgbàlẹ̀) and there will be likelihood of the festival becoming rowdy.

Parents especially mothers will be out, seeking for their children, especially those of us that were in our teens.

That song is what I have come to sing to parents of today, especially the mothers. Kọ́ lọ́ mọ kìlọ̀ f’ọ́mọ rẹ̀, ìlú ti ro.

Parents should warn their children, the society is now brutal.

Cultism and hard drugs are the major evils driving the children of nowadays. They are the foundation of the criminalities of today.

Cultism and hard drugs are also the foundation of some of the quick wealth being displayed today, under the guise of Yahoo Plus, Music, Skit Making, etc. Most of the killings that are categorized as ritual killings are actually done for organ harvesting, which is the source of wealth of some of the boys being regarded as Yahoo Plus.

And beyond the quick wealth is death! Yes, death, because there is no free gift from the devil.

If you are a cultist, the probability of getting killed by rival cult groups is like death itself. And if you are doing drugs (trafficking), the probability of death is same. Meanwhile, the two are like Siamese twins, they go together.

Sadly, how many parents are warning or counseling their children? What most parents are interested in is the money coming from their children, not the source.

Ọmọ ò se àgbàfọ̀, ó ún kó asọ wá’lé… Your children who is not a dry cleaner is bringing used clothes to the house…

I am sure many of us have forgotten the story of Austa Onuwa (AUSTA_XXO), the 21 year-old undergraduate, who was killed by her boyfriend who goes by identity KILLABOI.

KILLABOI stabbed Austa Onuwa, his girlfriend of three years to death in Lagos. Her dead body was found after her family noticed she was missing.

Funny, Austa was described as Instagram Influencer. Whatever she was influencing, I don’t know.

KILLABOI confessed and admitted to the crime via his Instagram handle, promising to turn himself in to the police. Up till today, has he done that? Has he been arrested?

Austa’s mother was everywhere, crying for justice. The same mother who did nothing when her daughter was living large, riding Mercedes Benz and showing videos of herself in different hotel rooms. The same mother whose daughter was dating a guy with alias as KILLABOI.

Obviously, Austa’s murder has been forgotten, just like those of many others before her. Others have even happened after hers.

Today, like Austa’s mother, Mohbad’s mother is shedding crocodile tears, mourning a child she abandoned for fifteen years. The same child she never bothered to keep alive and didn’t even know was alive for fifteen years.

Mohbad’s mother wants justice on the death of a child she didn’t care for and she wants the public to sympathize with her. Perhaps, Mohbad could have lived if he had motherly care and counseling.

Even Mohbad’s father who raised him alone is not without blame. Or what manner of father will send his son to school and the son will come back without a certificate and he won’t ask questions?

When Mohbad ran away from Osun State Polytechnic, Esa Oke in 2016, did his father bother to find out why? According to Mohbad himself, he didn’t attend classes and he was doing Yahoo and taking drugs. And his father did not know?

*Àgbà tí ò kẹhùn sọ̀rọ̀…*

Today too, the youths are on the streets, demanding justice for Mohbad.

Justice, yes! If Mohbad was killed, his killers must be found and made to face the full wrath of the law, no matter how highly placed.

But didn’t some of these same youths turn themselves to Malians, dancing to Naira Marley’s songs with lyrics like “How many man have I put underground, shoot in Amiri like Kay Flock, How many man have we sent to Baba God, ah…

Kay Flock, mentioned in that song was a rapper in the New York, who was arrested on Christmas Eve for the December 16, 2021 murder of a 24-year-old man outside of a Harlem barbershop. Flock shot Oscar Hernandez after arguing with him in the neck and back and authorities believe the shooting is connected to gang activity. Oscar Hernandez was said to be wearing a $1,000 Amiri jeans when he was shot by Kay Flock.

But our Malian youths danced to songs like that without being interested in deep understanding of their lyrics.

Today, there are cries for justice for Mohbad. I join in that cry for justice too. But most importantly, I join in calling on parents to pay more attention to their children because there are millions of Mohbad among them that we must not cry for justice for in future.

Kọ́ lọ́ mọ kìlọ̀ f’ọ́mọ rẹ̀, ìlú ti ro.

Olayinka writes from Irunmale Avenue, Oke Agbonna, Okemesi Ekiti

The singer died last week in unclear circumstances with Nigerians protesting and calling for justice for Mohbad.

While the rapper, known officially as Ilerioluwa Olademeji Aloba, was buried less than a day after his death, the spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command Benjamin Hundeyin said Mohbad’s remains have been exhumed.

Exhumation completed. Autopsy to commence.

Tinubu urged the world leaders to support Africa as true friends and partners, saying the continent is important to the world’s future.

“Walk with us as true friends and partners. Africa is not a problem to be avoided, nor is it to be pitied. Africa is nothing less than the key to the world’s future,” the president said while addressing world leaders at the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.

He declared that the time is now for UN member states to show, with their actions, that they mean what they say concerning the crackdown on terror financing, economic sabotage, and illicit mineral and arms smuggling in the developing world.

President Tinubu added: “The fourth important aspect of global trust and solidarity is to secure the continent’s mineral-rich areas from pilfering and conflict. Many such areas have become catacombs of misery and exploitation. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has suffered this for decades, despite the strong UN presence there. The world economy owes the DRC much but gives her very little.

“Foreign entities that are abetted by local criminals, who aspire to be petty warlords, have drafted thousands of our people into servitude to illegally mine gold and other resources. Billions of dollars meant to improve the nation now fuel countless violent enterprises.

“If left unchecked, they will threaten peace and place national security at grave risk. Given the extent of this injustice and the high stakes involved, many Africans are asking whether this phenomenon is by accident or by design. Member nations must reply by working with us to deter their firms and nationals from this 21st-century pillage of the continent’s riches.

“To keep faith with the tenets of this world body and the theme of this year’s Assembly, the poverty of nations must end. The pillage of one nation’s resources by the overreach of firms and people of stronger nations must now end.”

Tinubu, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, further noted that his aggressive economic development diplomatic push for new investment has been demonstrably effective in presenting Nigeria as business-ready, but the ease of doing business, according to the president, might not be the major encumbrance to large scale investment.

He said: “The question is not whether Nigeria is open for business. The question is how much of the world is truly open to doing business with Nigeria and Africa in an equal, mutually beneficial manner.

“Direct investment in critical industries, opening their ports to a wider range and larger quantity of quality African exports, and meaningful debt relief are important aspects of the cooperation we desire.”

President Tinubu equally noted that the global fight against the effects of climate change cannot be based on a “one size fits all” approach, adding that nations must be cooperated with in the design and implementation of their own strategies, which are tailored to their respective socio-economic strengths and weaknesses.

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the Ministry of Health to release funds for the overseas treatment of Adebola Akin-Bright, whose intestines got missing in the process of surgery.

The House also commisserated with the family, friends and fans of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, better known as Mohbad, a young Nigerian Aftobeat musician, whose mysterious death has caused reactions across Nigeria and other countries.

Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, while presiding over the day’s plenary, moved that Master Akin-Bright needed the urgent treatment abroad.

Dr. Obasa and the House also called for the immediate arrest of the doctor of the private hospital, Obitoks Medical Centre in the Alimosho area of the state, who performed the initial surgery that led to the missing small intestine while investigations continue.

The Speaker’s position followed a preliminary report by the Majority Leader, Hon. Noheem Adams, who briefed the House on the findings of a five-man ad-hoc committee created to investigate the circumstances that led to the disappearance of the boy’s intestine.

Giving the preliminary report, Hon. Adams said members of the ad-hoc committee visited the boy at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) on Tuesday.

Adams, who chairs the committee, said that the full report would soon be presented, adding that some shocking discoveries were made in the course of its investigations.

“We made some shocking discoveries in the course of our investigation. The incident is very unusual, but we want the boy to survive and we know Mr. Speaker is very interested in his survival too.

“We went to LASUTH on the directives of the Speaker, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa, to find out the health status of Adebola Akin-Bright.

“The hospital told us that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had taken care of the bill for his treatment at LASUTH.

Adams, however, said they were told by the hospital that Akin-Bright needed to be transferred urgently to either the United States of America or United Kingdom for an intestine transplant and that communications were ongoing with hospitals in the two countries.

In his contribution, Hon. Temitope Adewale, another member of the committee, said the patient’s health was deteriorating and that urgent steps needed to be taken.

“He is now given GMO nutrient and there is the urgent need to take him abroad.

“Mr. Speaker, you have given this boy the opportunity to survive by setting up the committee,” he said.

Meanwhile, the House has thrown its weight behind the investigation by the police into Mohbad’s death.

The Speaker, while commending the Governor for also inviting the Department of State Services (DSS) into the issue, directed the Clerk of the House, Barrister Olalekan Onafeko, to write the Lagos Police Command and the DSS intimating them that the House supports the investigation and expect justice for the bereaved family.

Obasa also urged fans of Mohbad to be patient and continue to act with decorum while the investigation continues.

The Government commiserates with his family and fans. We feel the pains of losing such a talented and promising young man, who made a name for himself in a highly competitive industry. May The Almighty grant his soul rest and comfort his bereaved family and fans.

Following Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive, the Police in Lagos State have launched a major investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the young star. A 19-man police panel has been asked to unravel the mystery of the musician’s death.

Further to this and to boost the investigation, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has invited the Department of State Services (DSS) to join the investigation and widen the dragnet with inter-agency collaboration and use of best in class technology to unearth the truth.

Mr. Sanwo-Olu has directed that all those who may have played any role whatsoever in any event leading to the death of MohBad be made to face the law after a thorough investigation.

Consequently, Department of State Services (DSS) has also joined the investigation so as to get justice for the youngster, his family and teeming fans.

The Government pleads with all those who may have vital information that may assist the investigation process to avail the investigating team with such. Government also appeals to the investigating team to guarantee the confidentiality and protection of all witnesses who may come forward with vital information or indicative evidence that may assist the process.

The government appeals to all friends and fans of the deceased to stay calm and refrain from making inflammary utterances and reaching prejudicial conclusions on this matter. Staying calm and following the process keenly will be our most solemn tribute to the memory of the departed talent.

Besides, the grieving family should be allowed to mourn their loss in peace.

It is, indeed, a difficult time for us all – the government, the family and MohBad’s fans. Any action that can aggravate the grief should be avoided.

The Police and the DSS have been admonished to brief the public on their efforts periodically.