The Islamic police force (Hisbah) in Nigeria’s commercial city, Kano has arrested 19 Muslims, for attending the wedding ceremony of a same-sex couple.
The Kano State Hisbah raided the marriage ceremony in Kano after a tip-off, its spokesman Mallam Lawal Ibrahim Fagge said on Tuesday.
Fagge said that the youths assembled to witness the wedding of two suspected homosexuals, Abba and Mujahid.
“The arrest was made after a Good Samaritan hinted to the board about the same-sex marriage.
“Our personnel attached to Hisbah board headquarters, Sharada Kano, arrived at the scene before the commencement of the wedding.
“Among those arrested were 15 females and four males,” Fagge stated.
“Abba and Mujahid escaped immediately Hisbah personnel arrived at the wedding venue, but the organiser, Salma Usman, 21, is in our custody.
“Those arrested will be handed over to the police for necessary action as most of the ladies claimed they were invited to the wedding from neighbouring states.
“We shall intensify efforts to ensure that Abba and Mujahid are arrested,” he added. The Hisbah head stressed that the board was resolute on the eradication of vices in the state.
Being gay in Nigeria could attract 14 years in prison. In 2014, former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, signed The Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill into law. The Act makes it illegal for gay people to even hold meetings.