From Ben Dunno, Warri
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command has paraded over 67 suspected homosexuals arrested at an all-night wedding party held last weekend at a popular hotel off the Refinery road in Effunrun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
It was learnt that over 200 persons were initially arrested during the invasion of the venue at about 1;20am on Saturday, August 26, 2023, by the policemen attached to Ekpan Divisional Headquarters led by CSP Aliyu Shaba, but was later reduced to 67 after a through profiling was conducted to determine the real suspects.
Parading the suspects before newsmen at the Ekpan Police Division today, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Bright Edafe, hinted that the police invasion of the venue was sequel to confession of a male suspect , one Chuks Chinyen, who dressed like a female in a vehicle during a stop and search routine and upon interrogation disclosed he was a guest at the wedding reception.
According to him, “the suspect had earlier claimed he was an actor based in Lagos and had come to Delta to shoot a film but but convinced, the policeman took him to the station for further interrogation on his appearance and where he was headed that time of the day.
“It was on further interrogation that they suspect made a confessional statement that he belongs to a gay association and that he was in town as a wedding guest of gay couple.
“It was during this confession that he disclosed the wedding reception venue as a popular hotel off Refinery road, called Tibulus Hotels & Suites, located in Uvwie Council Area.
“Satisfied with these information provided by the suspects, the Policemen immediately mobilized themselves and stormed the venue of the wedding and it was there and then that the arrest were made by the operatives.
“It was during the raid, that they saw a couple dressed in their usual wedding attire and the guests in all white dress for easy identification. The event was actually tagged All White Night Outing,” he stated.
“Although over 200 persons were arrested but after due profiling, it was discovered that quite a number were either lodgers at the hotel or passers-by and probably unaware of the event, so they had to release them to go.”
The PPRO stated, ”We have however concluded arrangements to charge the remaining ones to court as they committed offense that contradicts the law of the land both as culprits and accessories to crime that was being committed.”
He commended the Delta State Police Commissioner, CP Wale Abass, for his resolve in making the state crime free through the regular security strategic meetings with men and officers under the Command which he attributed to the successes so far recorded in various areas of crime fighting in the state.
He also applauded the men and officers of the Delta state police Command, especially the Ekpan Division led by DSP Aliyu Shaba, for the resolve and determination in combating crimes and other social vices in the society.
One of the suspects who identified himself as Emmanuel Alex, a naval personnel that was arrested at the venue because he was putting on an all-white outfit, said he wore the white because that was the dress code on the invitation extended to him for the event by the organizers.
He explained that he was invited to an award event and after the segment was over at about after 12am, he saw some of the guys who were earlier dressed in normal outfits changing to ladies wears such as skirts and blouse as well as makeups with wigs and it was then it dawned on him he was at a wrong place.