Nigerian Tik-Toker brags about assaulting gay man in viral video

Recently, a Nigerian Tik-Toker with the username @verydarkman shared a video where he made a disturbing confession. In the video, he claimed he had set up and assaulted another gay man who had shown interest in him. Though the video has since been deleted, but its impact on the community cannot be understated.

By Mike Daemon

It is no news that being a member of the LGBTQ+ community in Nigeria can be a difficult and dangerous experience. Discrimination and violence against the community are commonplace, and the country’s laws criminalize same-sex relationships, making it difficult for community members to seek justice when they face violence or discrimination.

Screenshot from the viral video showing @verydarkblackman.

@verydarkman claimed that the experience was his first sexual encounter with a man and that it happened in 2015 while he was working in a salon in Nassarawa state, Nigeria. He lured the man into his house where his friends were waiting to attack and assault him. The gay man managed to escape with the help of a neighbor, leaving his phone behind, which @verydarkman and his friends later sold.

What makes this video even more disturbing is the fact that @verydarkman seemed to be making light of a violent act. It is concerning that he felt comfortable sharing such a video, especially given the stigma and violence that the LGBTQ+ community faces in Nigeria.

Watch the video HERE.

@verydarkman’s bio states that he is “ghetto-oriented,” which suggests that he is from a low-income background. This highlights the fact that violence and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community are not limited to a particular socio-economic class or region in Nigeria.

The situation for LGBTQ+ people in Nigeria is dire. The country’s laws criminalize same-sex relationships, and members of the community face harassment, discrimination, and violence on a daily basis. Homophobic attitudes are pervasive, with many Nigerians holding negative views of the community.

Unfortunately, @verydarkman’s video is not an isolated incident. Many Nigerian celebrities have spoken negatively about the LGBTQ+ community, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and attitudes. In 2021, for example, Nigerian actor and comedian Chinedu Ikedezie on a viral video about 2 men who were publicly humiliated for having consensual sex commented “NAWAO! Nothing wey aboki no go see for gate. Even as God created women with all d contours…Mtcheeeewww #Smh” Such public comments only reinforce homophobic attitudes and contribute to the ongoing discrimination and violence against the community.

In conclusion, @verydarkman’s video is a sobering reminder of the violence and discrimination that the LGBTQ+ community in Nigeria faces. It is important that we continue to speak out against such acts and work towards creating a more inclusive society for all Nigerians, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.