A Nigerian writer and gay rights advocate, Chibuike Obi, has been reported missing since June 1, 2017.
The publication Obi writes for, Brittle Paper, says the disappearance is suspected to be linked to kidnapping.
Obi had, according to multiple online reports, been getting threats from unknown persons over his frequent articles on homosexuality.
He is reportedly well known for his articles on LGBTQ-themed poems.
Obi was said to have detailed the numerous threats he had been getting from unknown persons who accused him of ‘spreading Satanism.’
His last post for the publication before his disappearance had reportedly read:
‘It is over a year now since we started publishing LGBTIQ-themed poems.
‘Threats have been coming. Thick-brained humans come to your Facebook inbox and write long sermons peppered with hate and warnings. They’d tell you to get ready for them.
‘One asked Romeo (Oriogun) to send him some money or he’ll send policemen after him. Another actually reported him to his superiors. One Sunday evening in April, Romeo contacted me to say that someone has reported him to the police near his new post.
‘The officers called to inform him that they’d be at his post to arrest him. Although we were able to avert the purported arrest, because it was baseless and out of question, the threat, the harassment, was psychologically draining to Romeo.
‘Last August, a random number left a message in my WhatsApp inbox. There was something curious about the name which made me ignore the content of the message.
‘But I have stopped making public my locations on social media. I register my presence long after I have left the place, and if there is need for that. I try to keep my movement discrete.
‘This way I have been able to forestall any premeditated attack. Romeo ignored this, made light the threats and, last week, he was attacked.’
There is a suspected syndicate of unknown persons on the prowl for homosexuals and gay rights activists.
Anyone with useful information on Obi’s whereabouts has been asked to contact (+234) 8183003203 or (+234) 8180302222.
This post first appeared on NEWSROOM.
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