Chaos erupted in the once peaceful Osu community of Ede, Osun State, as local youths attacked the family of an alleged homosexual, causing extensive property damage and injuring three people.
This violent outbreak unfolded today as tensions rose over what locals consider an affront to their cultural values and beliefs.
In a dramatic turn of events, what was initially rumored to be a kingship dispute turned out to be a backlash against a suspected homosexual act.
The incident began when community members accused Ebenezer, a local man, of homosexuality, a practice deemed unacceptable and foreign to the values of Osu.
His wife, who first raised suspicions, reportedly notified authorities, setting off a chain reaction of anger among local youths who, rather than waiting for official intervention, chose to take matters into their own hands.
Divisional Police Officer Mr. Kunle Fadipe, who is leading the investigation, condemned the mob action and urged restraint.
“The youths took the law into their own hands because the act is alien to their culture and beliefs,” Fadipe explained, noting the severity of the attack and the urgency with which Ebenezer’s family is now under pressure.
“We will find him and make him face the law,” Fadipe assured, expressing disappointment in the self-help approach taken by the community.
While police have gathered substantial evidence against Ebenezer, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is actively tracking his location, Fadipe emphasized that taking the law into one’s hands would not be tolerated. If arrested and convicted, Ebenezer faces a potential 14-year prison sentence under Nigerian law.
Ebenezer’s wife, now emotionally distraught, shared her feelings in an interview, “This is a tough time for me. I’ve not only lost my marriage but also the father of my children to what feels like a foreign world. I’m heartbroken, confused, and depressed.”
As authorities work to locate Ebenezer and maintain peace, the community remains tense, and locals continue to press for justice.
