No fewer than 19 persons have been arrested by the Kano State Hisbah Board, an agency enforcing Islamic religion morals, for attending a same-sex marriage ceremony.
According to reports gathered by NIGERIACRIME, the suspects are all youths from the northern part of the country.
This was disclosed by the spokesperson of Hisbah, Lawan Ibrahim, on Tuesday.
Lawan, while briefing newsmen in Kano said that the youths were gathered 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.
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“Among those arrested were 15 females and four males,’’ Ibrahim stated.
Furthermore, the spokesman said, “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.’’
Ibrahim stressed that the board was determined to eradicate all vices in the state.
In 2014, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law a ban on same-sex marriage in Africa’s most populous nation.
The homosexual act is a criminal offence also known as an unnatural act under Kano state penal code law. The offence on conviction attracts a penalty of not less than 14 years in jail and a maximum of life imprisonment.
The decision was criticized by the United States, which opined that, “Beyond even prohibiting same-sex marriage, this law dangerously restricts freedom of assembly, association and expression for all Nigerians.
“People everywhere deserve to live in freedom and equality. No one should face violence or discrimination for who they are or who they love.”