LAGOS– The Nigerian Police Force in Lagos State has declared one Olayemi Ige, a 22-year-old man, wanted for allegedly engaging in a same-sex relationship with Adegboyega Williams, who is already in police custody.
In a statement made available to newsmen, the police said Ige was declared wanted after evading arrest when residents of his community reported his alleged amorous relationship to the authorities.
The act which contravened the provision of same sex marriage prohibition Act 2013 is punishable with fourteen years imprisonment.
Meanwhile, when our reporter got in touch with Olayemi Ige via phone, he narrated that he had to flee for fear of being lynched or killed because of his sexual orientation.
“They Wanted to Kill Me, I Ran for My Life” — Suspect
In a vividly shaken voice, Ige narrated his story, saying:
“I fled for fear of my life and freedom because I am being hunted by my family, extended family, community, vigilante group, and the Nigerian police as a result of the discovery of my true sexual orientation.
“I have been constantly harassed, threatened, and I face the possibility of a jail term. All of this is because I made the mistake of giving in to my intimate desire to be with a man”, he said
His Early Experience: The Case of Michael
According to Ige, he first became aware of his attraction to both genders while in secondary school, but he never had the courage to act on his feelings because same-sex relationships are considered taboo and are against the law in Nigeria.
He recalled how his first close friend, Michael Osawuta, whom he met at a tutorial centre after secondary school, was arrested and beaten for the same reason years earlier.
“I became very close to a guy named Michael, but I never told him about my feelings because I was sure his reaction would be negative. After our final secondary school exams, we lost touch as we went to different higher institutions.
“Later, I met another friend, named Michael Osawuta, at a tutorial centre. He was effeminate, and a lot of guys avoided him because they thought he was gay or acted like one. One day, while hanging out, I asked him if he ever found men attractive, and his response was no”
However, Ige said that sometime in January 2021, he received a call from a friend informing him that Michael had been arrested for alleged same-sex activities.
He said Michael was badly beaten by some fellow students and community members. He told me Michael had been set up by someone who lured him into a trap.
“Since that day, I never heard from Michael again. That made me so scared that I decided to focus my attraction on women”, Ige said
The Meeting That Changed Everything
“On the 23rd of August 2024, I went to a bar close to my house to hang out when a man named Adegboyega Williams approached me. He said he noticed I often came around on Fridays and Saturdays. I told him I came to relax after work.
“We became friends and exchanged contacts that day. Later, Adegboyega called and invited me to a popular bar on the mainland. He said I would enjoy the place.”
When Ige arrived at the bar, Adegboyega was already there waiting for him. They had drinks, chatted, and later decided to spend the night at a nearby hotel because they were both tipsy.
“After we checked into the hotel, I lay down to rest. Suddenly, Adegboyega came to the bed, laid beside me, and tried to kiss me. I was shocked and pulled away.
He smiled and told me he had always been attracted to me but didn’t say anything earlier because he knew I might react badly. After hearing him out, I opened up about how I felt about men and told him about what happened to my friend Michael.
He kissed me again, and we ended up making love that night. It was magical. Years of pent-up sexual frustration melted away in that single night. We started dating from then on, and we kept it secret.”
The Sudden Turn
According to Ige, things took a sudden turn on the 28th of December, 2024.
“I was with Adegboyega when I overheard him arguing on the phone, saying, ‘It’s all over between us.’ When I asked who he was talking to, he said I shouldn’t worry. A few minutes later, he left, saying he had something to handle.
Later that day, I called his phone several times, but he didn’t answer. I became worried because I had never seen him so angry.”
Then came the shock of his life.
“On January 13th, 2025, while I was at work, my brother called to tell me that three police officers came to the house looking for me. They told him I was wanted for allegations of a same-sex relationship with one Adegboyega.
My brother said he told them I was at work, and they asked for my workplace address. He asked me if I knew anything about it, and I said no.”
Ige said that after the call, he immediately took permission to leave work but decided not to return home out of fear.
“I called Adegboyega’s phone, but it was switched off. I went to a nearby bar to clear my head. While there, my colleague called, saying the police had come to my office too. The manager told them I left two hours earlier.
My colleague asked what was going on, and I said I didn’t know. That was when I realized the situation was serious.”
He said he decided to stay with a friend in Ikorodu until things calmed down.
The Police Close In
“The next morning around 7 a.m., my brother called again. He said the police had returned and took him to the station for questioning.
Later, he called me crying, asking why I lied about knowing Adegboyega. I heard police voices in the background. They took the phone and asked me to surrender myself for interrogation. I hung up immediately.”
Ige said he later learned that Adegboyega’s wife had confronted him and exposed his alleged affairs.
“She told neighbors about his involvement with men and showed them naked pictures of her husband and others. Adegboyega was arrested and, during interrogation, confessed to having same-sex relationships with men, including me.”
According to Ige’s brother, Adegboyega claimed that a former lover, who was angry after their breakup, sent the pictures and a letter to his wife as revenge.
“Even though I wasn’t in any of the pictures, Adegboyega mentioned my name. That was enough to put me in danger. Since then, I have been hiding. My family keeps getting harassed.
“My brother and others are being questioned, and I can’t turn myself in because I fear what the police would do to me”, he stressed
In Hiding, Seeking Safety
“My brother also told me that the police are going after all the men Adegboyega mentioned during interrogation. I have been staying with a friend somewhere in Ikorodu.
Ige also confirmed that he sustained minor injuries while running from the scene during his first escape and later received medical treatment.
When asked about his exactly location Ige declined to reveal his location, saying he is not safe.
Ige last known whereabouts is in Ikorodu but as of the time of filing this report, Olayemi Ige’s exact location remain unknown.
