A Nigerian man, identified as Akanji Abayomi Ayomide, is currently on the run following the fear of persecution and possible harm if he returns to Nigeria.
Ayomide left Nigeria for the United Kingdom on October 3, 2023, accompanied by a woman whom he married through what has been described as an arranged union rooted in family tradition. The marriage was not entered into voluntarily and was the result of longstanding cultural and family expectations.
Ayomide had been involved in a same-sex relationship with a man identified only as Abiola, whom he reportedly met online in 2022. Ayomide had long struggled to openly express his sexual orientation because of societal attitudes and cultural expectations in Nigeria, as he is bisexual but is primarily attracted to men.
After arriving in the United Kingdom, Ayomide informed his wife that he wished to end their relationship and pursue a relationship with his former male partner, citing the UK’s legal recognition of same-sex relationships.
The woman rejected the proposal and subsequently informed relatives and other individuals in Nigeria, resulting in threats allegedly directed at Ayomide, warning him not to return to the country, as he has been declared wanted by the Police.
Ayomide believes he would face persecution if he returned to Nigeria. He fears not only social stigma and religious condemnation but also a deterioration in his mental health due to the alleged threats.
Ayomide’s concerns are heightened because his mother’s elder sibling is said to be a senior police officer, while another relative on his father’s side is reportedly a member of the armed forces. These family connections contribute to his fear that he may not receive adequate protection if he returns, as he has been declared wanted by the Police.
Ayomide is currently residing in the United Kingdom, where he is hiding for fear of persecution if he ever returns to Nigeria.
