Attendees at Nigerian gay wedding arrested
Last week, Nigerian Police entered a hotel and interrupted an illegal gay wedding, arresting all attendees. Police officers then publicly shamed the arrested attendees and paraded their faces in front of state media to warn others who might be considering engaging in the same kind of activities.
The wedding was being held at a private venue but guests had no choice but to flee upon the arrival of the police. They did not get very far, and 67 people were consequently arrested.
“As the [police] operatives arrived at the hotel, the gay members immediately took to flight, scampering in different directions. The policemen chased and arrested 67 suspects, both male and female,” a police spokesperson told Nigeria’s Premium Times newspaper.
“The suspects and exhibits are in custody and efforts are intensified to ensure the arrest of the fleeing members for possible prosecution.”
Police learned of the wedding after intercepting a man (male assigned at birth) wearing women’s clothing on the way to attend the wedding as a guest. This particular individual then told the police they were on their way to attend this wedding, thereby endangering the well-being of all the guests in attendance.
Nigeria is one of the African countries that still criminalizes homosexuality and especially targets men who have sex with other men. Currently, gay and bisexual men can be imprisoned for up to 14 years for engaging in sex acts with men. Additionally, any person who “witnesses, abet and aids the solemnization of a same-sex marriage or civil union, or supports the registration, operation, and sustenance of gay clubs, societies, organizations, processions or meetings” can be sentenced for up to 10 years imprisonment.
As Nigeria doesn’t recognize transgender individuals, trans women engaging in sex with men are also subjected to these harsh anti-LGBTQ laws. Watch this space as information regarding this story develops.
