African societies are known for their strong communal life and support for individual by the communal members. This concept popularized as Ubuntu is found in all black African society regardless of the geographic location.
While this black Africa concept of solidarity seems perfect, it has its drawbacks. Whenever an individual goes contrary to his communal dictates, it becomes a case of one against the entire society. This could describe the case of Mr. Kazeem Wasiu Olasupo who is currently running for his life after being accused of being a homosexual in Lagos, Nigeria.
Mr. Kazeem Olasupo is a native of Ikorodu who hails from the Isele Ward of the division. He studied, works and lives with his family for all his life until recently when he was accused of being a gay and almost arrested in company of many others for their belief.
Kazeem Olasupo who discovered he had same-sex attraction had identified with other members of the local chapter in Ikorodu and had been participating in social events involving the group according to reliable source. This he does in low key and had never disturbed the peace of people around him.
On August 25, 2021, Kazeem honoured an invitation by a local gay member to join him in celebration. While at the party venue in an event centre at the Ikorodu, Lagos, the group were busted by a team of local policemen. The clampdown of the gay men during the party was handled with strict coordination and none of the arrested members had the chance to defend him. Some members were arrested at the event venue and taken into police custody.
However, Kazeem Olasupo was fortunate to escape from the police raid. His ordeal began after some of the arrested gay members from the raid mentioned his name as member and supporter.
Since then, the police had declared him wanted and have share his details to the public. Things became complicated for Mr. Kazeem Olasupo as his family members and traditionalists in his Ikorodu hometown were enraged after they discovered his social status.
Sources revealed that his wife of many years had earlier reported Kazeem to the traditional council that he is gay and the traditional council has since ostracized him. After the police raid of the event centre, Kazeem has become a fugitive who has been in the hiding for his life. Till now, Kazeem Olasupo is still on the run.
His choice of identifying with the gay association is a thing both the government and the traditional councils would not take likely and there are only few who would empathize with Kazeem. He probably is in the worst condition as a fugitive running from his own society and government agents. Some close family members who pleaded anonymity couldn’t help but wonder his pains, as he would have little or no help while in hiding.