A postgraduate student of the University of Benin, Edo State, Tijani Muhammed Sedi, has reportedly gone into hiding following a series of violent incidents that culminated in the gruesome killing of his father and brother, and the razing of their family home, in what sources described as a targeted homophobic attack.
Sedi, an Edo-born human rights advocate and vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights, had been pursuing a master’s degree in Sociology before the spate of tragic events forced him to flee for safety.
The student, known for his active presence on social media and advocacy against discrimination and sexual violence, had openly identified as gay, a stance that reportedly provoked intense backlash in his community and university environment.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Sedi’s sexual orientation, combined with his outspoken views on the rights of sexual minorities in Nigeria, made him a target for hostility from conservative and religious factions both on and off campus.
Over time, the tension allegedly escalated into a campaign of threats and violence aimed at intimidating the student into silence.
Close relatives told our correspondent that long before the fatal attacks, Sedi had received numerous threats from anonymous sources warning him to renounce his sexuality or face dire consequences.
These threats, which he reportedly documented and submitted to authorities, were largely ignored, according to the family.
Tragedy struck when Sedi’s father, Mallam Yakubu Tijani, was shot dead in front of his family home in Benin City by unknown assailants believed to be linked to an anti-gay vigilante group.
The assailants were said to have stormed the premises in the early hours of the morning, calling out Sedi’s name before opening fire on his father, who reportedly tried to resist them.
Barely a week after the shooting, the family compound located in the Ugbowo area of the city was set ablaze under suspicious circumstances.
Witnesses described seeing masked men fleeing the scene shortly after the inferno began.
The fire, which destroyed most of the property, also claimed the life of Sedi’s younger brother, whose name has been withheld for security reasons.
Neighbours who spoke to our correspondent under anonymity confirmed that the family had been under increasing pressure in recent months following widespread rumours of Sedi’s sexual identity.
A resident stated that the family had lived quietly for years until Sedi began appearing in online videos and blog interviews advocating for the rights of LGBTQ individuals.
It was gathered that efforts by the family to seek intervention from law enforcement were reportedly met with lukewarm responses.
A relative disclosed that complaints were made at multiple police stations, but no arrests were made and no suspects were questioned, leaving the family vulnerable to further attacks.
“There were so many threats, and we did everything we could to report them. But the authorities just didn’t act. They treated it like it wasn’t serious. Now two members of the family are dead, and the house is gone,” the source lamented.
In the wake of the violence, Sedi was said to have disappeared without a trace.
Family members, friends, and former classmates have not heard from him in weeks, fuelling fears that he may be in grave danger or even dead.
Our correspondent’s attempts to reach the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command were unsuccessful, as multiple calls and messages went unanswered at the time of filing this report.
As of now, no official statement has been released by the university either, despite mounting public pressure.
Human rights organisations raised concerns over the worsening safety of LGBTQ individuals in Nigeria, pointing to Sedi’s case as an example of the risks they face.
The Coalition for Equality and Social Justice, in a statement issued over the weekend, condemned the killings and arson, calling for immediate investigation and protection for other sexual minorities facing threats across the country.
“This is not just an attack on one person. It’s a chilling message to anyone who dares to be different. The silence from the government is deafening,” the statement read.
The National Association of Nigerian Students also weighed in on the issue, describing Sedi’s ordeal as a “humanitarian crisis born out of systemic intolerance.”
The association called for reforms that ensure the safety of all students, regardless of their sexual orientation.
