The Nigeria Police Force has vowed to go after members of Nigerian lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ), describing them as criminals and saying their acts are punishable under the law.
While participating in a popular online challenge, the LGBTQ members openly spoke about their sexuality and the misconceptions people had about them.
The video received mixed reactions with some Nigerians asking if the anti-gay law signed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in January 2007 was no longer effective.
@instablog9ja tweeted: "LGBTQ members in Nigeria join the trending challenge
@cute_pecky responded: "Lesbian don't like men but still dressing up like men just to attract another female likewise gay don't like female but still dress up like female just to be noticed. Nothing but confused souls."
@iamking_yusuf asked: "@Princemoye1 @PoliceNG una no update us say LGBTQ is now legal in Naija o. Buh no shaking, all of us go well last last."
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, while responding to a tweet shared by LGBTQ members that openly revealed their sexuality in a trending TikTok video challenge, said the police were currently investigating the clip.
He said: "They are criminal and punishable under the law. We are on this clip to take necessary action according to the provisions of the law in Nigeria. These are unnatural offences and are totally condemned. Thanks"
Meanwhile, Nigerian X users have questioned whether the law is selective:
@kibass5 said: "We know it not legal in Nigeria sending them to jail or arresting them will not still change their sexuality and you about to give them asylum in other countries because of your discrimination well am stright but arresting or jail term will not end their personal choice."
@adexbee15 wrote: "Sir, I want to ask if Nigerian laws are selective given Bobrisky has spoken and still speaks of his rich Bae nothing was done, James brown too joined the whatsapp group. The law shouldn’t be first on some and loose on others…"