The people of Ezinihitte Community in Mbaise, Imo State yesterday (17th December) witnessed an angry mob and vigilante group narrowly lynch a suspected homosexual.
According to an eyewitness account, a young man, identified as Emmanuel Uchenna, a final year student at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, was said to have been caught in a same-sex act with his peer at the university.
According to our correspondent, the school management had handed his partner (name withheld), to the police for investigation and prosecution, while it ordered the immediate arrest of Emmanuel Uchenna.
It was learnt that Emmanuel Uchenna escaped from the school and fled to his home town in Imo State.
It was further learnt that soon after information spread to his home in Ezinihitte community that the suspect was seeking refuge in the village, the youths and vigilante group went after him with a view to lynch him, our source explained.
However, according to the eye witness, Emmanuel’s uncle, Vitalis Ukachi Abiahu, hurriedly arranged with one Chukwudi Nzor, a motorcycle rider, to help Emmanuel Uchenna escape from the village and thereby evade apparent death from the angry mob and vigilante group.
Meanwhile, one of the elders of the community, Chief Okonkwo Ikechukwu, has reiterated that same-sex remained a sensitive issue.
“A sacrilege has been committed and as such the community elders must meet as soon as possible to seek the face of the oracle in deciding their next line of action” he vowed.
Chief Okonkwo further stated that “homosexuality in Ezinihitte community and Nigeria in general is an abomination and a crime”.
According to him, “anyone who indulged in the abominable act should be prepared to face the consequences”.
The village elders have also expressed worry over the growing number of Nigerian youths actively involving in homosexual acts.
