Nigerian police arrest 6 on homosexuality charges

Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran living in Southern…

Widely distributed photo of 6 arrestees in Benin City.

Nigerian police arrested six men in Benin City on charges of homosexual activity on May 9 and 11, Nigerian media reported yesterday.

In typically homophobic fashion, the publications called the arrestees “six members of a Benin City gay gang.”

Musa Daura, the area’s assistant inspector general of police, ordered the men, ages 20 to 28, to be paraded in front of photographers and released their names, which puts them in jeopardy of reprisals by anti-gay neighbors, even if they are freed. Daura said the men had confessed to engaging in homosexual activity since 2006.

“This is indeed terrible,” the Nigerian LGBTIQ podcast NoStrings commented:

“There was and there is still is no evidence whatsoever to prove that these men are homosexuals other than their said confession that they might have provided under duress or out of fear. …

“The suspects have not yet been convicted of any crime, so why release their names to the media? To be defamed?

“NoStrings condemns these very actions and calls for an unbiased and careful look into this issue by concerned entities.”

Daura said five of the suspects were apprehended on May 9 in the area of 12 Ikpoba Slope, Benin City, Edo State. The sixth was arrested near Benson Idahosa University on May 11 as he was trying the escape the city, Daura said.

The men are scheduled to be arraigned in court next week.

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Daura described homosexuality as “as a disturbing trend.” He added, “This offense is an offense against humanity and nature, an abominable act that should be condemned in every ramification by all.”‎

Nigerian law provides for up to a 14-year prison sentence for homosexual acts involving either men or women, as well as prison sentences for “public show of same-sex amorous relationship,” for belonging to a gay organization and for participating in a same-sex wedding.

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