In a world where diversity is celebrated, there are still corners where acceptance is a luxury, and being true to oneself can be perilous. Such is the story of Agburum Victor and Godstime Omoze, whose unsavory story is about escaping the shadows of discrimination and persecution in his homelands.
Nigeria, a country rich in culture and tradition, is also deeply entrenched in conservative values, particularly concerning sexual orientation. Despite being one of the most populous countries in Africa, Nigeria’s laws and societal attitudes towards homosexuality remain harsh and unforgiving. The Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, passed in 2014 by Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s admission criminalizes same-sex relationships and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, imposing severe penalties including imprisonment.
The law imposes a 14-year prison sentence for entering into a same-sex marriage or civil union, and a 10-year sentence for individuals or groups, including religious leaders, who witness, abet, or aid such unions. Additionally, it imposes a 10-year prison term on those who publicly display same-sex relationships or participate in gay clubs and organisations, creating a climate of fear and repression.
Studies by Human Rights Watch research indicate that since January 2014, there have been rising incidents of mob violence, with groups of people gathering together and acting with a common intent of committing acts of violence against persons based on their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
In Africa, LGBTQ individuals are routinely subjected to violence and harassment, safety concerns loom large for gay men. Hate crimes, including physical assaults and mob attacks, are disturbingly common, fueled by prejudice and fueled by impunity. This climate of fear forces many gay men into the shadows, where they lead clandestine lives, hiding their true selves to protect their physical and emotional well-being.
Navigating the Shadows
Although the haunt for Agburum Victor and Godstime Omoze may have sparked reactions from residents of Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, it speaks to the daunting task people like them endure navigating their identities in such hostile environments. In the wake of this was the constant fear of being exposed, the whispers and stares that followed them everywhere, and the heartbreaking reality of having to hide their true self from family and friends.
For most LGBTQ individuals like Agburum Victor and Godstime Omoze, the turning point always comes when this secret is revealed to their families. The reaction is always swift and merciless, increasing their chances of being disowned, ostracized, and exposed to severe physical and mental assault. Interestingly, a new lease of life kicked off for Agburum and Godstime when they both secured admission to study Business Administration at Delta State University. For Godstime, it was probably an avenue to escape the trenches of his family home in Lagos and a journey toward self-discovery.
Caught in the Act: The Escape, the Search
In 2023 in the bustling city of Delta State, two young Nigerians who lived a life of constant vigilance and secrecy as gay men found solace and love in the arms of each other. They were caught in an intimate act after neighbors alerted the local vigilantes who came crashing on their door. One man, his face etched with fear and desperation, however, struggled against the firm grip of the security personnel.
One of the neighbors recounted that as the situation escalated, Godstime somehow wriggled his way past the grasp of one of the vigilantes, breaking free and darting down dark alleys and side streets in a desperate bid for escape without giving heed to the sound of angry shouts echoing behind him as he raced into the thick bush. But fate is not on the side of Agburum Victor who surrendered to the strong arms wrapped around him, pulling him back into the clutches of the law.
“He was running like a madman with just his shorts and we chased him. We don’t know how he managed to evade us,” said a man who simply identified as Eguono.
“There was something about those two boys that didn’t feel right. It was beyond a normal man-and-man friendship. It has been happening for months,” he added.
Agburum Victor who wasn’t lucky enough to escape, was dragged out onto the street, surrounded by a jeering mob. The vigilantes, fueled by indignation and prejudice, hurled insults and threats, their eyes burning with hatred.
As the weeks go by, the vigilante insists that Godstime Omoze’s mysterious disappearance must have been aided by someone in the community, but they are left speculating about his whereabouts. His apartment has been burgled and some of his properties confiscated. But despite weeks of searching by the community heads in partnership with the security agencies, he has remained elusive while his partner, whose academic sojourn is now cut short must face the consequences of his actions. Omoze’s family still struggles with disbelief. The recent events in Ethiope East cast shadows on a community grappling with intolerance and the realities faced by LGBTQ individuals in Nigeria.
and then