Nobody is the creator of life except Allah Almighty. The growing insecurity in Nigeria today has given some individuals, operating under the guise of local vigilantes, the confidence to take the law into their own hands under the pretense of protecting culture and tradition. An interview was conducted with Mr. Ali Osman Musa, whose brother was allegedly killed in 2020. He spoke about the pain and fear his family continues to endure. Excerpt:
Sir, can we know you?
Ali Osman Musa: My name is Ali Osman Musa.
Can you tell us what happened on September 5, 2020?
September 5, 2020, was a black Saturday for my family. On that day, my only brother, Kabiro Ali, was allegedly killed by members of a local vigilante group said to be working alongside security operatives in Maiduguri. Since then, our family has never remained the same.
Why was your brother allegedly killed by the vigilante group?
According to reports, my brother was accused of being involved in a same-sex relationship with one Chiedu Charles Okolo, who was said to have escaped and remains at large. It was alleged that they were discovered at a hotel known as Bread and Breakfast Inn in Maiduguri.
The vigilante group reportedly claimed that the act was against their culture and traditions, describing it as a sacrilege. My brother allegedly paid the supreme price, while Chiedu Charles Okolo escaped during the incident. Since then, they have reportedly declared him wanted, dead or alive.
They also claimed that both men were members of the LGBT community and therefore deserved death. Since that day, they have continued to search for Chiedu Charles Okolo.
Sir, are you also gay?
No. I am not gay, and I never knew my late brother was allegedly involved in such activities until after his death.
Since they are still looking for Chiedu Charles Okolo, what has the situation been like?
There has been a continued manhunt for him since 2020. In fact, on April 28, 2026, some members of the vigilante group and community security allegedly attacked me and the mother of Chiedu Charles Okolo’s child. They accused us of knowing his whereabouts and threatened to kill us if we failed to provide information that could lead to his arrest.
They claimed they wanted to use his blood to “cleanse the land” according to their tradition and culture. Since then, we have been living in fear because our lives are no longer safe.
Do you know the whereabouts of Chiedu Charles Okolo?
No, I do not know where he is. However, I heard that he allegedly attended the event at Teebolus Hotel in Ekpan, Warri, Delta State, on August 27, 2023, when police raided what was described as a gay wedding ceremony. Several persons were arrested during the operation, but it was alleged that Chiedu Charles Okolo escaped. Since then, nobody has known his whereabouts, not even the mother of his child.
What is the way forward now?
We are appealing to the government and security authorities to come to our aid because our lives are at risk. We are innocent people living in fear due to threats from the vigilante group. We do not know the whereabouts of Chiedu Charles Okolo, yet we continue to face intimidation and threats to our lives.