Irrua, Esan Central LGA, Edo State – July 14, 2025
A young man, Emmanuel Ilenele Irabor, has been forced into hiding after allegedly being attacked by members of his community in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area, over his sexual orientation.
According to Irabor, the incident occurred on July 14, 2025, when residents of his neighborhood discovered that he was bisexual. He disclosed that an angry mob stormed his residence at 5 Stephen Oriere Street, Irrua, and attempted to eliminate him and his family.
“We ran through the back door to escape,” Irabor recounted. “They set my house ablaze and vowed to wipe out my family heritage because of my sexuality.”
Eyewitness accounts confirm that a group of youths torched his home, while threats against him and his family have persisted. Reports suggest that the local police are currently searching for Irabor and his relatives, with intentions to prosecute him under Nigeria’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
In Nigeria, same-sex relationships are criminalized under the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA) of 2014, with offenders facing up to 14 years in prison. While polygamy is widely accepted in many communities, bisexuality and other same-sex orientations are strongly stigmatized, often regarded as immoral or disruptive to social norms.
Human rights observers argue that the hostile posture of Nigerian communities toward diverse sexual orientations raises serious concerns about freedom, safety, and democratic values.
For now, Irabor and his family remain in hiding, fearful for their lives as threats continue.
