Mass arrest in Nigeria over alleged same-sex wedding ceremony
Homosexuality is strictly illegal in Nigeria, with same-sex relations punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
By Dale Fox
Nigerian police have raided an alleged gay wedding ceremony, reportedly arresting 67 people on charges related to homosexuality.
The mass arrest occurred early Monday morning (28 August) in a hotel in the city of Ekpan in the southern Delta state, according to police statements. Initial reports indicated over 100 attendees were detained, though police confirmed 67 had been arrested.
Homosexuality is strictly illegal in Nigeria, with same-sex relations punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Attending, aiding, or abetting a gay wedding can also result in up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
A police spokesperson condemned the event during a news conference on Tuesday. He stated: “We are in Africa and we are in Nigeria. We cannot copy the Western world, because we don’t have the same culture.”
He added that “Delta state is no place for any sort of same-sex relationship.”
Police also posted alleged video evidence of a wedding ceremony between two men. They also claim to have seized illegal drugs from the scene. Some attendees have denied it was a gay wedding, asserting it was a fashion show or modelling event.
Delta State Command have Arrested over hundred gay suspects in a hotel carrying out a gay wedding ceremony. We will be going Live Shortly on Facebook to parade the said Suspects.
— Delta State Police Command (@DeltaPoliceNG) August 29, 2023
After detaining the group, police live-streamed a “parade” of the alleged attendees on Facebook, showing journalists interviewing several of them, seemingly under duress.
“Witch-hunt” against the LGBTQ+ community
Human rights organisations have denounced the mass arrest, with Amnesty International Nigeria calling it a “witch-hunt” against the LGBTQ+ community. Discrimination and violence against gay people remain common in Nigeria, despite efforts to promote equality.
In a society where corruption is rampant, the law banning same sex relationships is increasingly being used for harassment, extortion and blackmail of people by law enforcement officers and other members of the public. This is unacceptable.
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) August 29, 2023
This police raid follows a similar 2018 incident in Lagos, where nearly 60 men were detained from a hotel party but later released. And this week, a man in Uganda was charged with “aggravated homosexuality,” an offence that could see him get the death penalty.
While most African countries still ban homosexuality, a handful like South Africa and Angola have moved to decriminalise same-sex relationships. However, Nigeria maintains strict laws against any expression of LGBTQ+ identities.
As the investigation in Delta state continues, the detained individuals are expected to be formally charged this week.
“We are still investigating and we want to assure Deltans and Nigerians that they will be charged to court soonest upon completion of the investigation,” local police said during the Facebook live-stream.