The Delta State Police Command made a significant arrest on Tuesday, apprehending more than 100 individuals suspected of participating in a gay wedding ceremony held at a local hotel in the state.
According to an official statement posted on the state police command’s social media platform, the suspects were taken into custody while reportedly engaging in the gay wedding ceremony. The authorities indicated that a press parade of the arrested individuals would be conducted, which will be streamed live on Facebook.
The statement from the police read: “Delta State Command has arrested over a hundred gay suspects in a hotel carrying out a gay wedding ceremony. We will be going live shortly on Facebook to parade the said suspects.”
The arrest brings attention to Nigeria’s strict stance against same-sex relationships and gay marriage. In 2014, former President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill into law that criminalized gay relationships and same-sex marriage. Under this law, those found guilty of engaging in homosexual activities could face up to 14 years of imprisonment.
Since the implementation of the anti-gay law, various instances of arrests and public parades of individuals suspected of being homosexuals have taken place. Notably, the Nigerian society and legal system view homosexuality as a punishable offense, reflecting deeply held cultural and social norms.
