A female gay rights activist, Olaide Mary Atanda, has reportedly jumped bail and fled alongside her family, while Nigerian Police Force is on her trail.
Our correspondent gathered Atanda, a mother of two young children was arrested at her apartment in Apapa road area of Lagos on (18th ofJuly) in company with a suspected gay who had earlier escaped from the Bode Thomas Police Station, Surulere Lagos.
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A Police source at the Bode Thomas Police Station gave the suspected homosexual’s name as Segun Akinwande, adding that he was arrested alongside several others at a gay bar in Surulere area of Lagos.
The Police were reportedly led to Atanda’s abode by another accomplice, Mrs Mary Badmus. Police sources disclosed that Mrs Badmus was the one who introduced Akinwande to Atanda when he escaped from police detention.
“It is true that we are hunting for the lady, Olaide Mary Atanda, for harbouring in her house a confirmed homosexual that escaped from our cell.
“She was arrested alongside the homosexual, Segun Akinwande, and another accomplice, Mary Badmus, who played a role in how Akinwande ended up hiding at Atanda’s home,” the Police source told Orijo Reporters.
Speaking further, the Police source who is involved in the investigation added that Atanda was granted bail pending her arraignment in court but has seen disappeared into thin air.
Findings by Orijo Reporters revealed that Atanda and her husband and two kids have since abandoned their home.
During a visit to the residence of Atanda, neighbours confirmed that she was a gay rights activist adding that she and her family have not been seen since the aftermath of her arrest and physical attack by a mob.
“I know she has always spoken for the rights of homosexuals and against the Nigerian law that prohibits same sex relationship.
“I last saw her several weeks ago, that was days after some local boys attacked her for advocating for the rights of homosexuals. The attack incident happened a few days after the police came to arrest arrest and released her,”one female neighbour who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent.
Several efforts to reach her through her Airtel line provided by neighbours were unsuccessful as the line was switched off all of the times our correspondent called the line. Text messages to the line were not replied to.
When contacted, Mrs Badmus confirmed that she introduced Akinwande to Atanda, adding that she did so because she was aware Atanda was a long-time gay rights activist.
“I regret introducing Akinwande to Olaide, but I did so with clear conscience. I did so because I was aware of her record as regards speaking up for the rights of homosexual people,” she said, adding that she doesn’t know here whereabouts at the moment.
