Man narrowly escapes death over homophobic attack
2 min read
Imo State has recorded yet another serious homophobic attack in one of the rural areas in the state. The attack which occurred on January 6, 2024 left the victim seriously injured and helplessly in need of medical assistance. From what Umuaka Times investigations showed, trouble started when one Ojinnaka Marius Maduabuchi was trailed by some youths of his community in Njaba LGA who had marked him either for elimination or for torture due to his alleged sexual orientation, got hold of him in an ambush. The first thing they did was to collect his personal effects like wristwatch, handset, ATM card and some money with him and the general beating began with full force.
The beatings according to some eyewitness account lasted for over 35 minutes and perhaps, the attackers felt that the poor innocent boy had died and took to their heels.
From the pictures Umuaka Times obtained, there is a big suspicion that the attackers wanted to set Marius on fire because there was a used car tyre which was seen close to the almost lifeless body of the victim. An old woman who claimed she was passing by during the tragic incident confirmed that the tyre could have been used to set the boy ablaze with the help of premium motor spirit otherwise known as petrol.
Since the day the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2014, signed the anti-gay bill into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan, homophobic attacks and gross human rights violations of LGBT persons have been on the increase across Nigeria and more especially in the Southeastern part.
Marius is said to be receiving medical attention in an undisclosed hospital in the state.
