Follow Us on Google
…NGOs, Other Group Flood NSCDC Office of Seek Release of the Suspects
From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
Over the past few decades, the issue of same-sex attraction, often referred to as gays, homosexuals, and same-sex marriage has become a hot topic worldwide. While some countries have legalized the act, many others including Nigeria have not, leading to polarizing debates.
While the global debate about the right and legality of same-sex marriage persists, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) recently arrested 76 youths in Gombe for allegedly planning a same-sex marriage at a birthday party.
The arrest has sparked a controversy which raised concerns about the arrest and what the law says about the act in Nigeria and what should be done to the suspects who are all youths.
THE NIGERIA LAW ON HOMOSEXUAL AND SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
Nigeria has strict laws regarding gay and same-sex marriages called, the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act. The law which criminalizes homosexuality in the country was signed in 2014. The criminal code specifically prohibits carnal knowledge against the order of nature.
According to the law, sexual relationships between people of the same gender are illegal and individuals found guilty can be punished with imprisonment or even death.
THE ARREST OF SUSPECTS IN GOMBE
Daily Sun gathered that on the 21st of October 2023, the Gombe State Command of the NSCDC arrested the 76 youths allegedly attempting to hold same-sex marriage at a birthday party in the Gombe metropolis.
According to the state Commandant of the Corps, Muhammad Bello Muazu, the arrest followed a tip-off on the planned event.
He told Daily Sun that the perpetrators disguised the marriage occasion in the name of a birthday party of one 18-year-old Bashir Sani, who prefers to be called ‘Bishira Gombe’ (which is the female version of his name). Muazu said, “According to the investigation Bashir Sani of Tabra quarters in Akko Local Government Areas (LGA) of Gombe was getting married to Usman, a resident of Nasarawo quarters in Gombe metropolis who is now at large”.
The Commandant disclosed that upon investigation 21 out of the 76 suspects arrested confessed to being femboys, gay, homosexuals, and pimps.
He said, “The investigation revealed that the other 55 suspects including the Master of Ceremony (M.C), D.J and other spectators who were there to watch the event, sounded strange to most of them. We have so far cleared the 55 suspects and released them on bail pending the complete conclusion of the investigation”.
The Commandant disclosed that while the investigation was ongoing, the Corps took the 21 suspects to the state specialist hospital for medical screening.
He explained further that the medical report of the suspects who were examined for HIV, Hepatitis, and Anal test, indicated that one out of them was HIV positive while another one was found to be Hepatitis B positive.
“The medical practitioners advised that they should undergo further tests for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Anal watts test, moreover, according to the Doctors’ advice, the HIV tests should be repeated after three months which is the expected window period.
THE TUSSLE THAT TRAILS THE ARREST
According to the law enforcement agency, while it plans to charge the suspects in court upon completion of its investigations, it uncovered how and where the suspects were receiving their support and courage to keep perpetrating the crime.
Commandant Muazu disclosed that there are several Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and groups that provide lubricants, condoms, and drugs for the suspects.
He said, “Though the NGOs are hiding in the dark they are even promising them (the suspects) that whoever wants transgender surgery they will help and take them abroad for free operation”.
According to Muazu, the tussle has led the alleged non-profit organization that advocates for human rights and other NGOs to openly condemn the arrest and call for the immediate release of the suspects.
He stated that the groups described the arrest as a violation of the fundamental human rights of the young boys and that it was a blatant display of discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The Commandant said, “Total Empowerment and Development Initiative (TEDI), Society for Family Health (SFH) and other NGOs are mounting excessive pressure for the release of the suspects, a representative of the SFH from Abuja in the person of Barrister Emeka and all those mentioned above are on our necks in the name of human right”.
Speaking further Commandant Muazu disclosed that his NSCDC has observed that the rate at which youths were being recruited and engaged in homosexual in Gombe State is increasing by around 0.5 percent every week.
“The homosexuals are being sponsored and supported by some NGOs residing in the State. Most of the youth are joining the cult for money or ignorance of the law, they are being deceived that the act is constitutional.
The NGOs are even threatening and intimidating the members (who are mostly minors) for any attempt to stop or withdraw from the act. There is an involvement of international bodies such as Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) on the matter and our NGOs want to use it for business in the name of providing support and or rehabilitation of the suspects involved,” the Gombe NSCDC Boss revealed.
INTERVENTION BY THE GOMBE STATE GOVERNMENT
As soon as he got information on the happening, Gombe state governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya set up a multi-sectoral committee to resolve the issue and propose a solution for the benefit of the state and youths involved. Members of the informal committee include the state’s attorney general and commissioner of justice and that of internal security as well as religious leaders from Muslim and Christian faiths, the Commandant of the NSCDC, the state’s chapter of the National Human right Commission, and the former Grandi Kadi of the state.
According to Commandant Muazu, the committee was set up to brainstorm and advise the state on how to best respond to the act which has been criminalized by Nigerian law and yet controversial global. However, the state command of the NSCDC urges the state government to consider an awareness campaign on the effects and position of the act in the eyes of the law.
The law enforcement agency equally called on the government to query the NGOs and groups providing support and sponsoring the criminal acts in the State. “Their license of staying in the state should be withdrawn,” the NSCDC Commandant said while tasking the State House of Assembly to enact a law on zero tolerance and extra punishment on the crime in the state.
