Seventy-six individuals were apprehended by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Gombe State, with 21 admitting to being homosexuals. The incident took place during a homosexual birthday celebration at Duwa Plaza along the Bauchi-Gombe Expressway. The suspects, 59 of whom were male, had planned to host a same-sex wedding before the authorities intervened.
Buhari Sa'ad, the state Public Relations Officer, revealed this during a press event at the NSCDC's Gombe State Command headquarters. Alongside the 21 males who admitted to their sexual orientation, 17 females were also detained at the scene.
The arrested individuals will face legal action for engaging in a social vice, which is considered a crime in Gombe State. The incident and subsequent arrests have sparked discussions and debates on LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance in Nigeria, where homosexuality is largely considered illegal and stigmatized. It highlights the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ individuals in the country, where they often face discrimination and persecution due to their sexual orientation.
