Nigerian Bisexual, Family On The Run As Villagers Launch Manhunt

A village in Akwa Ibom has launched a manhunt for an alleged bisexual and lesbian and her family for allegedly desecrating the village over her sexual preference.

A family member who disclosed this to our correspondent in Abuja explained that the accused, Ms. Augustina Umanah Omohnego, her husband and their three kids need to be located and cleansed because their mother was a taboo.

Mr. Effiong stressed that she can only run far but not hide, while noting that though the family was uncertain where Mrs. Omohnego and her family are presently, the village has intensified effort to fish them out.

“I don’t know how far they can run, but one thing is certain, we will find them, take them back to the village for ritual cleansing.

“How can a woman have sexual feelings for another woman and still be with the husband? We strongly believe she bewitched her husband and this will be dealt with.”

Another family member who apparently has sympathies for the embattled Augustina and asked not to be named, explained that if she is found, there is no possibility she would survive what awaits her.

“The villagers are angry because they believe she has endangered the village by her being a bisexual. For now, none of us can tell where the family is. I think they are on the run because her life, that of her husband and kids were no longer safe given her sexual orientation as a bisexual.

“I know the police were brought in because of the anti-gay law. Sometimes I wonder why can’t we just allow people decide their sexual orientation. Now a whole family’s fate hangs in the balance because some people have decided to make their mother a sacrificial lamb.

“May I ask you, when has it ever been wrong to be sexually aware, mature and active? When was choosing a sexual partner the prerogative of the State and few lawmakers in our National Assembly and such choices foisted on the unwilling citizens?

“Because of the law against people like Augustina, others have become ready targets for people who now see them as agents of the devil. People that should be hounded, ostracized and even killed,” the family said.

Our correspondent further learnt that Augustina’s bisexual partner was not so lucky as she was chained and bundled to the village and taken to a shrine where she was dehumanized and starved for several days before she escaped but later took her life.

“It was a terrible sight. Remi, that was her name,” the family member explained, “she went through hell because she was bisexual. Her family members alleged she was bewitched and to exorcise the evil spirit in her, they dragged Remi to their village shrine where she was chained like a wild animal, starved and left in the open. Though she managed to escape we later learnt she took her life.”

Nigeria outlawed gay marriage, public displays of same-sex relationships, and belonging to gay groups in 2014 and specified a 14 year jail term with the signing of a law by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

President Jonathan at the signing said it was consistent with the attitudes of most people towards homosexuality in the country.