Alleged jungle justice: One dead, another missing after attack on suspected men in Port Harcourt

Alarming concerns over human rights violations against suspected LGBTQ+ individuals in Nigeria have resurfaced following a disturbing incident in the Ogbogoro community of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where two young men were reportedly attacked by local vigilante operatives on suspicion of same-sex relations.

Felix Uche, an eyewitness and resident of Port Harcourt, recounted the harrowing event that took place on June 23, 2023.

According to him, members of the local security group known as OSPAC (Official Security Planning and Crime Control) allegedly stormed a residence where the two men were located and brutally assaulted them.

“The men were stripped naked and severely beaten with dangerous weapons until they were soaked in blood,” Uche told reporters. “After the beating, they were taken away by the vigilante group.”

The victims were later identified as Mike Odumonye and Vincent Chukwuneme Uwanaka. Following a report to the police, officers traced the vigilante group to their detention location. Tragically, when law enforcement arrived, Mike Odumonye was already dead. His partner, Vincent Chukwuneme Uwanaka, was reportedly missing and has not been seen since.

In a twist that has raised further eyebrows, the police have since declared Vincent Uwanaka a wanted person—raising questions about how a victim of alleged jungle justice ended up on a police watchlist, instead of being treated as a missing person or potential victim of enforced disappearance.

This incident has sparked outrage from local human rights advocates and citizens like Felix Uche, who called on the Nigerian government and society at large to recognize and respect the humanity of LGBTQ+ individuals.

“They are human beings like every one of us—created by God. They deserve dignity, safety, and justice, not persecution and violence,” Uche stated.

Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, signed into law in 2014, criminalises same-sex relationships and public displays of affection between same-sex individuals, carrying penalties of up to 14 years in prison.

While the law is often cited in defense of state-sanctioned discrimination, rights activists argue that it has emboldened vigilante groups and members of the public to engage in acts of violence with impunity.

This case adds to the growing list of reported attacks, arrests, and abuses against Nigeria’s LGBTQ+ community, many of whom now live in fear and secrecy. Human rights groups have repeatedly urged the Nigerian government to repeal the law and adopt stronger legal protections for minority communities, warning that continued persecution will only drive more citizens underground or into exile.

As the search for Vincent Chukwuneme Uwanaka continues, activists are demanding a transparent investigation into the actions of the OSPAC group, the response of the police, and the overall treatment of LGBTQ+ persons under Nigerian law.