Queer murder: Victim and alleged suspect of kito murder in Ipaja are identified

The suspect and victim of the kito murder in Ipaja, Lagos State, have been identified, with members of the queer community asking for help to apprehend the suspect.

Recall that the body of a queer man was found in Ipaja after he was lured there by a kito gang (read here). The abductors demanded N3m from another queer friend named Uche and proceeded to kill the victim when the money was not provided.

The victim has now been identified as Ayomide. 

The uncle of the victim said he sent N50,000 to the kito gang and begged that it was all he could raise but they went ahead to kill his nephew.

The body of Ayomide was found close a bridge in Ipaja. Marks on his body show he was tortured before being killed.

The main suspect who allegedly invited Ayomide over has been named as Emmy Bernard, though some say it’s not his real name and he goes by different names.

Many queer Nigerians say they have fallen victim to him and his picture has been circulating among the queer community before now, with many warning other gay people to stay away from him to avoid being kitoed.

Other victims of the alleged suspect are now speaking up following the death of Ayomide.

Meanwhile, some members of the LGBTQIA community have also accused the deceased, Ayomide, of being a Kito.

In the queer community, a kito is someone who is queer or pretends to be queer on social media and dating apps. After building an online rapport with someone, they make plans to meet up but this is just a ruse to extort or physically harm their date. Many gay people have been robbed, extorted, beaten, or even murdered by these kito gangs.

Ayomide’s death over the weekend is the latest one to anger the queer community and other Nigerians.