A "gay wedding" in Nigeria leads to 76 arrests

[{"selector":"#anim-78672078-3c44-4adf-832d-ecf4ff2759b7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-35.22338858221109%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Same-sex marriage is illegal in Nigeria under a 2014 law, and punishable by 14 years in prison.

[{"selector":"#anim-6a46ccb2-16d7-40a0-9f90-d0b216f8d28a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-33.09118226212741%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] "We apprehended 76 suspected homosexuals at a birthday party organised by one of them who was due to marry his fiancé at the event," said Buhari Saad,

[{"selector":"#anim-84bf55a7-4e89-46b9-8f87-4bc4be2a620e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.90624987200394%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] the spokesman for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Gombe State, a paramilitary organisation under the government.

[{"selector":"#anim-7e1473f3-ae6c-4256-9329-ec3fbaa4f329 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-33.917025764478105%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The arrested youths include 59 men and 17 women. Lawyers for those arrested could not immediately be contacted for comment or confirmation.

[{"selector":"#anim-5dee5dda-fc80-40ef-8a69-a9cb77210cf5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-33.10852040531566%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Intimidation of the LGBT+ community is rife in Nigeria, and in recent years the security forces have carried out numerous raids on parties where they believe weddings are taking place. However, none of those arrested have been convicted.

[{"selector":"#anim-44559fe0-5bc0-4842-9b27-0645d6b8b91f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.90624987200394%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] In August, police arrested more than a hundred men in similar circumstances in south-east Nigeria. The human rights organisation Amnesty International has called for an end to this "witch-hunt".

[{"selector":"#anim-454f4da2-2aed-4985-a1b7-a7a2870e70f2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-33.09118226212741%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] "In a society where corruption is endemic, the law prohibiting same-sex relationships is increasingly being used for harassment, extortion and blackmail by law enforcement officials and other members of the public", it also condemned.

[{"selector":"#anim-f98664b1-7257-4613-834d-ca6c285a94d4 [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