Nigerian writer Chibuihe Obi allegedly kidnapped for writing about queerphobia
Nigerian writer Chibuihe Obi allegedly kidnapped for writing about queerphobia
- On 17 May, Nigerian writer, poet, and photographer Chibuihe Obi published an essay for Brittle Paper about the queerphobia he experienced in Nigeria. Since then, Obi has gone missing. He was last heard from on 1 June.
According to a Facebook post, those close with Obi believe he was kidnapped by a group of ‘homophobic thieves.’
The group allegedly responsible for the kidnapping is also targeting other LGBTI writers, threatening to ‘hunt them down and kill them.’
A friend who did not wish to be named told GSN, ‘The last time a friend of mine spoke with him, he was in Umuahia where his mother lives. But someone said he was in Owerri on 1 June, the day we lost contact with him. This second info is speculation; we use it because nobody knew his movement for sure.’
He said that the kidnappers had contacted several people connected with Obi. ‘Three of those people happened to be with us when they got the messages – that’s when we knew what had happened. Half of their messages are homophobic, death threats, promises to hunt down other queer writers.’
- On 17 May, Nigerian writer, poet, and photographer Chibuihe Obi published an essay for Brittle Paper about the queerphobia he experienced in Nigeria. Since then, Obi has gone missing. He was last heard from on 1 June.
According to a Facebook post, those close with Obi believe he was kidnapped by a group of ‘homophobic thieves.’
The group allegedly responsible for the kidnapping is also targeting other LGBTI writers, threatening to ‘hunt them down and kill them.’
A friend who did not wish to be named told GSN, ‘The last time a friend of mine spoke with him, he was in Umuahia where his mother lives. But someone said he was in Owerri on 1 June, the day we lost contact with him. This second info is speculation; we use it because nobody knew his movement for sure.’
He said that the kidnappers had contacted several people connected with Obi. ‘Three of those people happened to be with us when they got the messages – that’s when we knew what had happened. Half of their messages are homophobic, death threats, promises to hunt down other queer writers.’