Arrested Begins After Anti-Gay Law Passed In Nigeria

Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan.

If you are gay, and planning to visit Nigeria, you may want to put that planned on hold or just completely forget about it. Authorities in many norther parts of the country began arresting gay men after legislation was quietly approved, and signed into law by Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, criminalizing homosexuality and imposing prison terms up to 14 years for breaking the new law. 

Several gay couples were taken into custody in the majority-Muslim northern part of Nigeria. Nigeria’s president, signed the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act into law on January 7, but there was no public report of the new law until Monday.

It prohibits homosexuals from meeting in groups of two or more, bans marriage or civil unions between people of the same sex, and criminalizes gay clubs and events. Spokesperson for the president - Reuben Abati was quoted that "Nigerians were happy with the new law."

Nigeria is the the 38th African nation to enact legislation banning gay people. “This is a law that is in line with the people's cultural and religious inclination,” Mr Abati said. “More than 90 percent of us oppose same-sex marriage, so it is a law that is a reflection of the beliefs and orientation of Nigerian people. Nigerians are pleased with it.”