Nigerian Police Declare Intent to Take Action Against LGBTQ Community Following Viral Video

By: Emmanuel Ibitoye

The Nigerian Police have asserted their commitment to taking decisive action against members of the Nigerian lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community, labeling them as criminals and asserting that their practices are punishable under the law.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, conveyed this stance on Wednesday via an official statement, responding to a video posted by LGBTQ members. The video featured members openly discussing their sexuality and addressing public misconceptions as part of a popular online challenge on social media.

In the wake of the video, netizens questioned the effectiveness of the anti-gay law signed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in January 2007. One netizen expressed, “@Princemoye1 @PoliceNG una no update us say LGBTQ is now legal in Naija o…” (translated: Adejobi and the Nigerian Police, you have not updated us that LGBTQ has been legalized in Nigeria?)

In response, Adejobi stated, “They are criminal and punishable under the law. We are on this clip to take necessary action according to the provisions of the law in Nigeria. These are unnatural offenses and are totally condemned. Thanks.”