By Ojo Jimoh
Palpable tension has enveloped Oduna Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State due to an alleged abominable offence of homosexuality and planned same sex marriage by one of it’s residents known as Mr. Paul Igbinowen.
The incident has equally elicited condemnation from members of Igbinowen family, which stated that such acts of homosexuality and proposed same sex marriage being practiced by their son, Mr. Paul Igbinowen could result in multiple deaths in the land due to the wrath of the gods and diety against unholy practice of homosexuality and same sex marriage.
The representatives of the family led by Pa. Elvis Igbinowen who appeared visibly worried over the ugly development disclosed this while addressing newsmen over the matter and lamented the shame their family have been subjected to due to the sacrilege committed by Paul Igbinowen.
They however assured the community where the offense had taken place that they would not protect or shield their Son Mr. Paul Igbinowen from facing the wrath of the gods and diety over the abominable acts.
The family said it became necessary to publicly states that they share the traditional and cultural belief of the entire Benin people and Oduna community regarding same sex affairs and homosexuality which are taboos, noting that those found to be involved in it should be ostracized from the community and left to be severely punished by the gods and members of the community.
Pa. Igbinowen also stated that being a taboo that is abhorred by the entire Benin nation and the Oba of Benin, it has become necessary for the family to publicly disclaim Mr. Paul Igbinowen, in order to avoid the social stigma and curses that comes with it and the wrath of the gods and deity against entire family.
He further stated that the family of Igbinowen detest as abhorrent and evil, the repelling and disgusting homosexual practice by Mr. Paul Igbinowen.
Our Correspondent was told by a member of the Oduna community on condition of anonymity, that they discovered Mr. Paul Igbinowen antecedent as a strong promoter of LGBTQ in the community, alleging that Mr. Paul Igbinowen has been planning to have a same sex married event in the community, which he said is a taboo and alien to their culture and traditions.
It was further gathered that Mr. Paul Igbinowen narrowly escaped arrest in the botched same sex marriage that took place in Delta State in August 2023.
Thus acting on available information and intelligence, members of the community’s vigilante group caught him and his male lover Mr. John Anderson on the 19/11/2025 pants down making love in his residence at No 15, Ugie Street, Oduna community in Ovia North East LGA of Edo State.
He and his male lover were apprehended and given jungle justice. They were striped naked, beaten and paraded along the streets of the community. Mr. Paul Igbinowen was dragged to the house of his uncle in the community, who disowned him and gave his blessing for the punishment to continue.
He was subsequently taken to the Community shrine and given concoction after which he was presumed dead when he passed out and thereafter thrown into the evil forest. Similar fate was meted to his male lover whose whereabouts is currently unknown.
It was later learnt that he survived and is using the services of his lawyers to try to escape the wrath of the community.
In reaction to this latest development, the Igbinowen family , stated that they disassociate themselves from him and stated that the gods of the land which have already exposed his evil in homosexuality practice will most likely visit him with death and that no matter where he may have ran to the gods and Diety will catch up with him and his partner.
They further stated that they are a homophobic people and any harm that is done against homosexuals and lesbians are alright with them, claiming that they were aware that he has gone into hiding based on his lawyers advise.
They therefore alerted the general public that he is seriously wanted for further punishment for violating the laws against homosexuality and planning to hold same sex marriage with his male partner.
Mr. Paul Igbinowen, according to them will not escape the fatal and vicious wrath of the community members and it’s Diety, saying that he can run but cannot hide from their gods.
In a separate twist, information reaching us is that the family of John Anderson from Akwa Ibom state are leaving no stone unturned in the search for their missing son.
They are said to be pointing accusing fingers at the family of Paul Igbinowen and the community people as being responsible for their son’s fate because he left their place in Akwa Ibom to visit his male lover Paul Igbinowen in Edo State, and that since then they have not heard from him.
They said they are appealing to the public and anyone with useful information about his whereabouts to report to the nearest police station.