The once peaceful community of Esan North has recently been thrown into turmoil, grappling with rising insecurity and social unrest. Commu...
The once peaceful community of Esan North has recently been thrown into turmoil, grappling with rising insecurity and social unrest.
Community leaders have controversially attributed the challenges to the alleged homosexual practices of one of its members, Henry Elinmian, who is reportedly out of the country and has been declared "at large."
According to sources within the community, incidents of theft, disputes, and alleged spiritual disturbances have significantly increased in recent months.
The leadership, consisting of traditional chiefs and elders, claims these irregularities stem from what they describe as a "spiritual imbalance" caused by Elinmian’s alleged lifestyle.
“Our land is no longer at peace because our traditions have been violated,” said Chief Ogbeide Eweka, a respected elder. “The only way to restore harmony is for the individual responsible to return and undergo cleansing rituals. This is a matter of tradition and survival for our people.”
The community insists that the cleansing process, which involves sacred rituals performed by local priests, is necessary to appease ancestral spirits and purify the land. However, these rites cannot proceed without the physical presence of Elinmian.
Efforts to contact Elinmian for his response have been unsuccessful, and his current location remains unknown. Human rights activists have strongly criticized the community’s position, arguing that it unfairly scapegoats an individual based on their alleged sexual orientation.
“This is a clear violation of fundamental human rights,” said Barrister Osahon Ighodaro, a human rights advocate based in Benin City. “A person’s sexual orientation should not be used as a pretext to explain societal challenges. The community should focus on addressing real issues, such as security and economic development.”
Despite these external criticisms, the leaders of Esan North remain resolute.
Community elders have intensified their efforts to locate Elinmian, with many residents believing his return and participation in the rituals are the only ways to end the ongoing troubles.
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