A 35-year-old woman identified as Amara Oziogu has been brutally murdered in Benin City after being accused of engaging in a bisexual relationship with another woman an incident that has reignited national debate over Nigeria’s anti-gay laws, mob justice, and human rights violations.
The tragic event, which began on November 29, 2024, at Amara’s family home on Osazuwa Street, Utagban Community, took a violent turn after her elder brother, Augustine Oziogu, allegedly caught her with her female partner, Anita Ehi Ayangbe, in a compromising situation.
Eyewitnesses said Augustine’s alarm drew neighbours, community members, and youths who surrounded the building, shouting threats and labelling the act an “abomination.” Many in the crowd reportedly demanded that the two women be handed over for what they called “cleansing punishment.”
Fearing for their lives, Amara and Anita managed to escape through the back door with the help of a friend, narrowly avoiding being lynched by the angry mob.
However, on December 12, 2024, Amara was found dead on a bush path on the outskirts of Benin City. Her body bore signs of assault, suggesting she had been attacked while in hiding.
Sources within the Edo State Police Command revealed that security operatives had been searching for both Amara and Anita before Amara’s death, following complaints lodged by members of their community and the family of Amara who accused her of luring their daughter into bisexuality. After Amara’s demise, police efforts reportedly intensified not only to uncover those behind her murder but also to locate Anita, who remains in hiding. Community sources allege that both the police and some local vigilante groups are still seeking Anita, with intentions to arrest and prosecute her under Nigeria’s anti-gay law, while some community members have allegedly vowed to “finish what they started” if she is found.
Anita, according to reports, has since fled the city, claiming she only ran to save her life. “I ran because they wanted to kill me too,” she reportedly said through a friend.
Confirming the development, the Edo State Police Command described the case as “sensitive and under review,” assuring that investigations are ongoing to bring perpetrators of Amara’s murder to justice.
Human rights organizations have condemned the killing, calling it another grim reminder of how discrimination, homophobia, and mob justice continue to threaten lives in Nigeria. They urged authorities to ensure that justice is served, irrespective of public bias or moral judgment.
Under Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014, same-sex relationships and public displays of affection between same-sex partners are illegal, carrying penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment. Supporters or promoters of LGBTQI rights also risk up to 10 years in prison.
Amara’s murder has once again spotlighted the dangers faced by Nigerians with diverse sexual orientations, as rights activists continue to call for tolerance, justice, and the protection of all citizens under the law, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Mob Murders Woman in Benin Over Alleged Bisexual Relationship
