•Olumuyiwa Adejobi
The Nigerian Police Force (NPF), today, Thursday January 25, asserted while citing some sections of the Nigerian laws that same-sex marriage and unnatural offences are illegal in the country.
The police said the enlightenment followed a recent trend on social media where some individuals who identify as queer were visibly encouraging and associating themselves with activities perceived to be unnatural.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement issued in Abuja, said unnatural offences are prohibited under Sections 214 to 217 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act applicable in Southern states.
Adejobi said: “These sections specifically criminalize acts considered unnatural, such as having carnal knowledge of a person, or permitting a person to have carnal knowledge of one against the order of nature, or having carnal knowledge of an animal, and those found guilty may face legal consequences as outlined by the law.
“This is re-echoed by Section 284 of the Nigerian Penal Code applicable in the Northern part of the country”.
Similarly, the Nigeria Police said it is imperative to note that same-sex marriage is strictly prohibited in Nigeria.
He emphasized that the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014 criminalizes the solemnization, operation, and public display of same-sex marriages.
The Force spokesman said: “We therefore emphasize the importance of understanding and adhering to these laws as any violation will be met with due legal processes”.
He expressed the dedication of the police to maintaining law and order and called on all citizens to report all suspicious activities related to unnatural offences or same-sex marriage.
Adejobi charged the public to provide crucial information that would aid the effort of the police to enforce the law.
He said: “We need to collectively kick against such while we urge parents and guardians to take note and support the Police in the fight against such inhuman activities which are alien to our culture and also punishable under the law.”
