NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT RAIDS GAY PARTY, ARRESTS 76
What was meant to be a celebration, turned into chaos when forces raided a birthday party in Nigeria. The party was attended by gay people and it’s believed two of the attendees were planning on getting married at the party.
In Nigeria, it’s illegal to be gay or for people of the same sex to marry one another. An anti-gay law took effect in 2014. It was condemned by other countries and human rights organisations, but it’s still in effect.
The party took place in northern Nigeria’s Gombe state which is a largely Muslim state.
Buhari Saad, a spokesperson for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said they received a tip-off. The agency then proceeded to raid the party on Saturday night because it was being attended by “homosexuals and pimps”.
This isn’t the first gay celebration to be raided by the NSCDC. In August a gay wedding was raised in the southern city of Warri in Delta state. Dozens of people were arrested.
News24 reports that the anti-gay law in Nigeria includes a prison term of up to 14 years for those convicted, and bans gay marriage, same-sex relationships, and membership of gay rights groups.
Saad said the case was expected to be heard in the Gombe State High Court on Tuesday.
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