Police in Osun State have commenced an investigation into an alleged same-sex marriage involving students and lecturers of the State University in Okuku.
According to authorities, the controversial ceremony was initially disguised as a student welcome party, sparking outrage among residents and community leaders.
As part of the ongoing investigation, some lecturers and students have been taken into custody in connection with the event.
The Nigerian Police later paraded no fewer than 21 individuals including five lecturers and 16 students of the university who were apprehended at Ariya Global Hotel in Okuku, the alleged venue of the ceremony.
The arrests followed a police operation carried out last Sunday, after residents alerted authorities to suspicious activities. What was believed to be a welcome party was later uncovered through investigation to be a gathering for an illegal same-sex marriage, an act considered a criminal offense under Nigerian law.
Police sources have revealed that two staff members of a hotel Oluwafemi Akinola, the manager, and Arike Kuti, the receptionist have been declared wanted and are currently at large. Authorities allege that the pair not only facilitated the controversial event at the center of the investigation but also played key roles in coordinating its planning.
As our investigations continue, we have uncovered more individuals connected to this case. Many are now on the run, but we assure the public that we are committed to bringing all involved to justice, a police source said.
The police have also appealed to the public for assistance, urging anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects still at large to come forward.
The incident has led to public outrage in the town known for its deep-rooted cultural and traditional values with community leaders describing the gathering as an “abomination” and have called for a traditional cleansing ceremony to “appease the gods of the land.
One of the community elders, Chief Taye Thomas, expressed deep concern, warning that the event could bring spiritual consequences if not promptly addressed. “Never in the history of Okuku have we seen anything like this, it is not just illegal it is sacrilegious”.
For the people of Okuku, the alleged gay wedding is seen not just as a crime, but as a taboo an abomination that strikes at the heart of the community’s identity and long-standing values.
The arrested suspects remained in custody and are expected to be formally charged to court with the police saying they are intensifying their manhunt for the remaining suspects.
