The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) detained more than 70 individuals over allegations of arranging a same-sex wedding in Gombe state, according to a security spokesperson on Monday, marking the most recent crackdown on the LGBTQ community.
Members of the NSCDC, an official paramilitary organization, conducted a raid on a leisure establishment in Gombe, the state capital, on Saturday, apprehending individuals they accused of participating in a “gay party” and planning the wedding of two male partners, as reported by NSCDC spokesperson in Gombe, Buhari Saad.
Saad stated, “We apprehended 76 suspected homosexuals… during a birthday party organized by one of them who was to wed his male partner at the event.”
The group of suspects included 59 men and 17 women, with 21 of the men openly admitting to being gay.
At the time of this rewriting, lawyers representing those detained have not responded for comments or confirmation.
The groom-to-be was taken into custody, while the bride-to-be and other attendees managed to escape, according to the official.
“We will charge them to court to answer for their actions once investigation is concluded,” Saad said.
It is essential to note that homosexuality is punishable by death under Sharia law in northern Nigeria, even though that penalty has not been enforced.
In 2014, Nigeria enacted legislation that banned same-sex marriages and the promotion of civil unions.
Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act imposes penalties of up to 14 years in prison for anyone found to be in a same-sex union.
Saad did not specify whether the suspects would be charged under Sharia law or in a conventional court.
Security forces have carried out several raids on suspected same-sex weddings in northern Nigeria in recent years, but no convictions have been reported among those arrested.
In December of the previous year, 19 individuals in their twenties were apprehended in Kano by the Sharia police, known as Hisbah, on charges of arranging a same-sex wedding. However, the suspects were cautioned and released without facing court proceedings.
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