More than 60 people detained after a gay wedding in Nigeria

[{"selector":"#anim-ef30f2da-942a-4848-af84-e7172c3c976c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-13.248005096139254%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Police in Nigeria detained 67 people for celebrating a gay wedding, a mass detention targeting homosexuality.

[{"selector":"#anim-ff45020e-bf44-4e14-8024-5f2330482df1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.888926374906433%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The arrests occurred in southern Delta state's Ekpan town during an event where two people were married.

[{"selector":"#anim-778cff88-8507-4c46-a69a-28a20d00f592 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.812499744007886%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Homosexuality is outlawed in Nigeria, and the police spokesman emphasized that it will not be tolerated.

[{"selector":"#anim-fb5c89a6-1612-4483-b97f-def4c4831151 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.812499744007886%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Nigeria's Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, enacted in 2013, can lead to up to 14 years in prison for gay individuals and 10 years for accomplices.

[{"selector":"#anim-f11e5598-80e5-463e-bf4d-51935db39a52 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.8967063313451975%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The arrests were condemned by Amnesty International's Nigeria office, which criticized the use of the law for harassment and extortion.

[{"selector":"#anim-e7822bcb-8039-44e9-9a7e-93507b1cff8a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-8.656249749127722%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Initially, 200 people were arrested at the hotel where the wedding took place, but 67 were detained after investigations.

[{"selector":"#anim-80927998-fe68-4468-a1c3-cbf492f993d1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(14.045877441406246%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] A police spokesman stated that Nigeria cannot adopt Western norms due to cultural differences and that openly expressing one's sexual orientation won't be allowed.

[{"selector":"#anim-8c2a1bfb-3d1e-4d2b-99ce-f3577936f1a7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.812499744007886%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Activists accuse Nigerian police of misusing the law for mass arrests, sometimes including heterosexual individuals.

[{"selector":"#anim-e78ff382-65a6-4057-ade8-e5b85f93f8f7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-15.680506008446912%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Some of those arrested denied attending the wedding, with one claiming to have been on the way to a fashion show.

[{"selector":"#anim-7afc9ddc-d76f-4d9a-9f3a-5784fdfda102 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] For more such interesting stuff click here swipe up