Popular Nigerian police officer threatens LGBT crackdown

Nigerian police spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi has vowed to crack down on a group of LGBT individuals featured in a viral video on social media.

By NoStringsNG Contributor

These threats were issued in response to the various reactions that followed the queer edition of the trending TikTok ‘I am challenge,’ where some LGBTIQ+ Nigerians disclosed their sexuality and gender identity.

Police Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

In a statement addressing the video on X, as shown below, the spokesperson condemned the actions, referring to them as “unnatural,” and labeled the participants as “criminals.”

Screenshot of the ACP response.

In the aftermath of the event, early today, the Nigeria Police, through its Director of News, issued a statement hinting at the issuance of arrest orders for the individuals identified in the video. The statement also clarified and explained various sections of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act, urging Nigerians to report any suspected LGBTIQ+ individuals and related activities to the police.

The ACP’s response, along with the media statement, has sparked diverse reactions from Nigerians and the LGBT community. Some have commended the swift reaction and readiness of the Nigerian police to take action against those involved in the video.

However, others have criticized the police, deeming it a misplaced priority and an indication of ignorance regarding the provisions of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA) of 2014. It’s emphasized that this law does not explicitly criminalize gender identity and sexual orientation, reinforcing the argument that the individuals in the video did not commit any arrest-worthy crime.

It is disheartening that, despite the natural aspect of being gay, LGBT individuals in various countries, including Nigeria, continue to face persecution simply for being true to themselves.