76 Arrested in Nigeria's Paramilitary Raid on Birthday Party for Gay Individuals

Paramilitary agency arrests include both men and women as well as the party organizer, who was allegedly planning a same-sex wedding, in violation of Nigeria's controversial 2014 anti-gay law; court hearing set for Tuesday.

• 76 people, including both men and women, were arrested at a birthday party in Nigeria for being associated with gay individuals. Among those apprehended is the organizer, who was reportedly planning an illegal same-sex wedding.
• This paramilitary operation came after a tip-off and is part of a broader crackdown against the LGBTQ community in the country. Previously in August, police had raided a gay wedding in the city of Warri, Delta state, leading to multiple arrests.
• The arrested individuals are facing potential charges under Nigeria's 2014 anti-gay law. The law, widely condemned internationally, outlaws homosexuality and prescribes prison terms up to 14 years.
• The law not only criminalizes same-sex relationships and marriages, but it also bans membership in gay rights groups, demonstrating comprehensive state-backed homophobia.
• The case regarding these arrests is scheduled to be heard in the Gombe state High Court on Tuesday, casting attention yet again to Nigeria's contested stance on LGBTQ rights.

3 Articles

NBC News CNN Reuters