By Our Correspondent
Tension has gripped the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State after a mob reportedly stormed and vandalised a residential property in search of a woman accused of being bisexual.
The incident, which occurred on February 10, 2026, targeted the home of Mrs. Ajoke Rashidat Ojo, located at No. 17 Ojuagbe-Waterbase Street, Jemi area, off the Epe Expressway. The attack has left the family in a state of severe distress and sparked fresh concerns regarding community-led violence.
The Invasion
According to eyewitness accounts, a group of individuals descended on the residence demanding the whereabouts of Funmilayo Omolayo Ayobamidele Ojo. The attackers alleged that Funmilayo’s sexual orientation violated local norms and demanded the family "produce her" for questioning.
"When they could not locate her, they turned their frustration on the building," an eyewitness, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, told our correspondent. "They vandalised sections of the property, leaving the entire household shaken."
A Mother’s Fear
Mrs. Ojo, appearing visibly devastated while surveying the damage, expressed relief that her daughter was not present during the siege.
"If they had met her at home that day, they might have killed her," she lamented. "The invasion has left me completely broken."
Despite the scale of the damage, Mrs. Ojo admitted she has not approached the police. She cited the sensitivity of the allegations and the potential for legal blowback, given Nigeria’s stringent laws against same-sex relationships.
"I informed the community leaders, but their reactions suggest they may even be culpable," she said. "The CDA Chairman explicitly told me he was unable to intervene or provide any assistance."
Legal and Safety Concerns
The incident highlights the precarious position of individuals and families facing such allegations in Nigeria. Under current laws, same-sex relationships are criminalised, a factor that rights advocates argue emboldens mobs and discourages victims from seeking protection from law enforcement.
Mrs. Ojo expressed deep concern that the report of the attack itself could expose her family to further state-led prosecution or renewed communal violence. She has since issued a grim warning to her daughter.
"I have told Funmilayo not to even contemplate returning to the country," she said. "She would face certain violence, persecution, or imprisonment the moment she steps foot here."
As of press time, the damaged property remains a haunting reminder of the ongoing threat to the Ojo family, while the perpetrators remain at large.
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