Tension as community leader stops mob attack on bisexual suspects 

What began as a night at the cinema in Ifo, Ogun State, nearly ended in tragedy when two men were beaten by a mob over allegations of being bisexual.

It was gathered that the suspects were saved only through the timely intervention of a respected community leader, Otunba Ola.

The victims, identified as Okudele and Segun, were attacked on Tuesday, after leaving a movie showing.

According to sources, the pair were allegedly seen engaging in an intimate act inside their car, sparking outrage among youths in the area.

An eyewitness, Kunle Ojo, recalled the chaos. “People rushed to the car and started shouting. Before we knew it, sticks and cutlasses came out. They dragged the men from the vehicle and beat them mercilessly. It was frightening. I thought they would die.”

The attackers justified their actions by claiming they had been watching the suspects for months. One of them said: “We knew they were not ordinary friends. We could not just fold our hands while they desecrated our land.”

Reports say the mob inflicted serious injuries before Otunba Ola, arrived and pleaded with the youths to stop the violence. He reportedly offered ₦50,000 as a peace gesture to disperse the crowd.

Our reporter who visited the scene and interacted with the community leader who saved the suspects, said there was still palpable fear in the area.

Fielding questions from the reporter, Ola stressed the need for restraint. “Even when emotions run high, jungle justice cannot be the answer. There are police stations and courts to handle such matters. I only stepped in to avoid a situation where lives would be lost”, he emphasized.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police command has confirmed the incident.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, in a statement, said the Commissioner of Police has directed a full investigation into the incident.

The statement read: “We are aware of the incident in Ifo. The command does not condone mob action. At the same time, we remind the public that same-sex relationships are criminal under Nigerian law.”