Nigerian Police Arrest 57 Men on Suspicion of Homosexual Activity

Police in Lagos, Nigeria arrested 57 men over the weekend on suspicion of homosexual activity, reports Premium Times.

Police stormed a hotel in the capital city at 2am on Sunday after a “reliable source” tipped them off. Police found 80 people in the hotel, and suspected them of substance abuse.

State police commissioner, Imohimi Edgal confirmed the raid.

“When the men sighted the police, they took to their heels but the police arrested 57 of them,” Edgal said.

Some of the men have spoken to the press, claiming they have not committed any crimes.

“I was at the reception when the police came and they told me to lie down which I gladly did since I knew I had not committed any crime. But I was accused of being a gay,” said 23-year-old, Daniel Sokari.

“All efforts to explain to the police and show them the evidence of my invitation to the pageantry and pictures proved abortive.”

“The police just barged in and arrested people, I was outside the hall buying a drink when I was arrested,” Wealth Olasunkanmi said.

“They also accused us of being homosexuals, I am not one, I went there to party. They also accused us of being initiated but no initiation material was founded with us or at the venue.”

Homosexuality is illegal in Nigeria. In the country’s northern states, it is punishable by stoning until death, in other parts of the country it carries a 14-year prison sentence.