Police Detain 67 People in Nigeria’s Largest Crackdown on Gay Wedding, Defying Western Influence
ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian authorities have carried out one of the country’s biggest arrests related to homosexuality, detaining at least 67 individuals who were allegedly celebrating a gay wedding. The incident occurred in the southern town of Ekpan in Delta state. State police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, informed reporters that the arrests were made early on Monday morning, and emphasized that Nigeria would never tolerate homosexuality.
Homosexuality is outlawed in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, under the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act. This legislation carries severe penalties, including up to 10 years in jail for gay individuals, as well as accomplices who can also face a decade of imprisonment. Although the law, enacted in 2013, has garnered condemnation both locally and internationally, there are many Nigerians who support it.
According to Edafe, police authorities stormed a hotel in Ekpan where the alleged gay wedding was taking place. Initially, 200 people were arrested, but after preliminary investigations, 67 were detained. Edafe shared these details during a press conference held at a local police station, where the suspects were being paraded.
What amazed us was that we witnessed two individuals actually performing their wedding ceremony in a video recording, Edafe revealed. We are in Africa and in Nigeria; we cannot simply mimic the Western world because our culture is different.
He further asserted that Nigerian police officers cannot stand idly by and allow gay people to openly express their sexual orientation in the country. This is not something that will be allowed in Nigeria, Edafe stressed, adding that the suspects would be charged in court once the investigation concludes.
The arrest of individuals suspected of engaging in same-sex activities is not uncommon in Nigeria, where such incidents are met with swift action from law enforcement agencies. While some believe the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act protects cultural values and norms, others argue that it infringes upon the rights and freedoms of individuals.
Human rights organizations and advocates have continuously called for the decriminalization of homosexuality in Nigeria, arguing that it is a violation of basic human rights. They assert that every individual has the right to love and live freely, regardless of their sexual orientation.
As news of this major crackdown on a gay wedding spreads, it shines a spotlight on Nigeria’s stance on homosexuality and raises questions about the balancing of cultural values with the principles of human rights. The incident has once again ignited a debate within the country and drawn international attention to the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights in Nigeria.
