From Ben Dunno, Warri
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have paraded over 67 suspected gays (both couple and guests) arrested during an all night wedding reception held last weekend, at a popular hotel off the Refinery Road in Effunrun, Uvwie Local Government area.
It was learnt that over 200 people were initially arrested during the invasion of the venue, at about 1.20am, last Saturday, by policemen attached to Ekpan Divisional Headquarters, led by CSP Aliyu Shaba, but were later reduced to 67 after a through profiling was conducted to determine the real suspects.
Parading the suspects before newsmen at the Ekpan Police Division yesterday, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, hinted that the police invasion of the venue was sequel to confession of a male suspect, one Chuks Chinyen, who dressed like a female in a vehicle during a stop-and-search routine, and upon interrogation disclosed he was a guest at the wedding reception.
He said: “The suspect had earlier claimed he was an actor based in Lagos and had come to Delta to shoot a film, but, not convinced, the policeman took him to the station for further interrogation on his appearance and where he was headed that time of the day. It was on further interrogation that the suspect made a confessional statement that he belonged to a gay association and that he was in town as a wedding guest of a gay couple.
“It was during this confession that he disclosed the wedding reception venue as a popular hotel off Refinery road, called Tibulus Hotels & Suites, located in the Uvwie Council area. Satisfied with these information provided by the suspects, the policemen immediately mobilised themselves and stormed the venue of the wedding, and it was there and then that the arrests were made by the operatives.
“It was during the raid that they saw a couple dressed in their usual wedding attire and the guests in all white dress for easy identification. The event was actually tagged “All White Night Outing.”
Continuing: “Although over 200 people were arrested, after due profiling, it was discovered that quite a number were either lodgers at the hotel or passers-by and probably unaware of the event, so they had to release them to go.”
The PPRO stated: “We have, however, concluded arrangements to charge the remaining ones to court as they committed an offence that contradicts the law of the land, both as culprits and accessories to the crime that was being committed.”
He commended the Delta State Police Commissioner, Wale Abass, for his resolve in making the state crime free through the regular security strategic meetings with men and officers under his command, which he attributed to the successes so far recorded in various areas of crime fighting in the state.
He also applauded the men and officers of the Delta State Police Command, especially the Ekpan Division, led by DSP Aliyu Shaba, for the resolve and determination in combating crimes and other social vices in the society.
One of the suspects who identified himself as Emmanuel Alex, a Marine Navy officer who was arrested at the venue because he was putting on an all white outfit, said he wore the white because that was the dress code on the invitation extended to him for the event by the organisers.
He explained that he was invited to an award event and after the segment was over at about 12am, he saw some of the guys who were earlier dressed in normal outfits changing to ladies wears, such as skirts and blouse as well as makeups with wigs, and it was then it dawned on him he was at the wrong place.