“Some LGBT persons are missing without traces in Nigeria.” Homophobic attack victim.
7 min read
Some months ago, a gay fellow who goes by the name Ojinnaka Marius Maduabuchi from Imo State miraculously escaped being lynched by a group of boys who accused him of being a member of the outlawed LGBTIQ groups in Nigeria. In this interview which he granted from a hideout, he explains what really happened to him and what he faces today as an individual.
Excerpts:
First of all, give us a little background about yourself.
My name is Ojinnaka Marius Maduabuchi. I am from Njaba LGA of Imo State Nigeria.
Which town are you from in Njaba LGA?
For security reasons and for my siblings and family’s sake back home, I like to keep the town confidential.
Tell us the problem you are facing. Why did you reach out to Umuaka Times?
Thanks a lot sir for this opportunity. Umuaka Times is really working hard for the voiceless. I am a member of the LGBT community in Nigeria. On January 6th, 2024, a group of youths stopped me on the way while I was going home from my friend’s birthday and confronted me with questions concerning my sexuality. I told them that my sexuality or sexual orientation is none of their business. They started beating me and took my phone, my wallet, ATM card and beat the hell out of me on their conviction that I am gay.
How did you escape from the crime scene?
I can’t even say exactly because I was unconscious. But at last, I heard that a friend of mine who’s name is withheld due to security reasons came to my rescue after my attackers had left me at the scene of the crime for several hours.
So what did you do to them after the beating?
Are you for real? I was thoroughly beaten up by these boys and I lost consciousness. Only for me to regain consciousness the following day in a hospital.
After regaining consciousness what did you do?
I was asking the doctors and nurses where I was. That is an experience I would always wish away.
Do you mean that some people attacked you only because they suspected you are gay? That is hard to believe.
May be for you. I am surprised that a highly placed reporter of your status would say this. In case you never knew, Imo State remains the state with the greatest record of LGBT related human rights abuses in Nigeria.
Please can you cite some examples on this claim?
The case of Mr Chibuike Ukazu, a police officer is still a fresh case in our memory.
What happened to him?
The youths from Umueze community in Orlu Local Government Area beat him seriously and stripped him naked and paraded him in the streets of the community for being gay.
That is so sad indeed. Any other example?
In 2013, residents of Ekwe community in Isu LGA manhandled three men and paraded them naked in the whole town for being gay also. Now 3 of the victims are nowhere to be found. One of them is Ikenna Okwara from Isiozi Akah in the same Imo State. Also in Osina Ideato North Local Government Area, one Stanley Chibuike Dike from one of the villages also suffered the same fate. As Peter Obi would always say, “I can go on and on”.
In your own case, did you report to the police?
Report to who? The police will always support the rights abusers.
Why did you say so?
There are reports in Nigeria about the police aiding and supporting human rights abuses directed against LGBT persons. The police will worsen my case if I dared report to them.
So where are you right now?
I am out of Nigeria. That is all I can tell you. My life was in total danger and I had to escape. To be tagged a member of LGBT community in Nigeria is a deadly label. You can be killed by anybody anytime.
Why not you come back to Nigeria and prosecute those men who attacked you?
You seem not to understand the real situation here. If I ever set my feet in Nigeria again, I will risk being tortured to death by those hoodlums and their sympathizers and there is nothing anybody can do about it. Homophobia is real in Nigeria.
Why did you say so?
Because in Imo State and largely Nigeria, especially religious people, traditional institutions and even families see gay men as those who are possessed by evil spirits and need to either be killed or excommunicated from the outside world.
But are you evil? Or should I say, is being gay a gift from the devil?
The question is ill-advised. It is just like asking the famous Elton John, Richard Quest of CNN or Justin Gabriel, a former WWE superstar or even Bishop Gene Robinson if they are evil because of their sexuality.
But are you aware that the act of homosexuality is a criminal offence in Nigeria?
I am aware. It is also applicable to many others. It is a pure case of homophobic human rights violation.
So what is your take generally on that?
In the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights as well as the Constitution of Nigeria, the fundamental rights to life, respect for the dignity of persons, freedom of assembly and association and zero discrimination are all guaranteed. Anybody going against such laws is violating the rights of another. Nigeria is a state party to the International conventions on civil and political rights. Our institutions are so weak to protect LGBT persons.
So what really do you want now?
All I want is that you in the media should use your good offices and tools and work with advocacy groups and make sure that on no account should the rights of any Nigerian man or women be violated on mere suspicion of being a member of the LGBT community. As I speak to you now, there are reports that some LGBT persons in Imo State have disappeared and never came back.
So what happened to them?
Are you asking me? Many persons have disappeared in Nigeria. In 2022 alone, about 122 persons disappeared in Southeast Nigeria according to Amnesty International.
Do you mean LGBT persons were among them?
You go and investigate that.
So how can we stop the torture of LGBT persons in Nigeria?
It will be very hard. Churches and security agencies are not helping matters. Pastors are there preaching that we are evil. Security agencies are also extorting us and families use to think that we are useless and demonic. Tell me where to start. The only solution now is to strengthen the judiciary to carry out its duties.
But are you really gay?
Yes. Do you have a problem with that?
That is a big offence in the country.
You are wrong. Being gay in Nigeria is not an offence, having a gay sex or gathering in the name of LGBT whatever, is an offence. Try to mark the differences please.
When are you expected back in Nigeria?
I am not sure that I will come back to Nigeria again; I am in a place where human rights speak and where they respect rule of law. I can’t come back unless I want to be killed by those hoodlums and security agencies.
Those people who attacked you, can you identify any one of them?
Yes I can if I see them. But where will I see them?
Do you support same sex marriage in Nigeria?
For now that is a no go area in Nigeria unless the law is repealed. Are you aware that Nigeria has lost a lot through its hard stand on LGBT activities especially foreign aids and benefits from diplomatic relations?
Please tell us.
I will not tell you anything. You have to tell me first what the country has so far gained through its hard stand on LGBT activities. Can you see that countries that are LGBT friendly are progressing very well while those who have demonic approach to LGBT people are all suffering?
Are you for real?
Yes indeed. Is it not time for we Africans to think twice and embrace social diversity? Africans, especially Nigerians think they know God while there is hatred across the country.
Do you think discrimination against sexual minorities will ever come to an end in Nigeria?
This is like asking if I ever think that hunger will come to an end one day. We can only reduce it. Many institutions across the country are giving it their own support. That is why I suggested that the judiciary should be equipped properly.
Is there any other thing you would like to tell us in this interview that has not been asked to you?
Just promote human rights of all irrespective of where the fellow is coming from. We are all humans. Injustice to one will one day affect others. Today I was attacked. Thank God I managed to escape. The next fellow may not be as lucky as I am. The trauma I faced left me with a permanent shock of post-traumatic stress syndrome, serious headaches and HBP (High Blood Pressure).
It is really a pity. Thank you very much for your time.
May God Bless Us All.
