LGBTQ Members to Face Police Action Over TikTok Trend

A recent TikTok video challenge, where Nigerian LGBTQ members openly reveal their sexuality, has sparked controversy and prompted police action, casting a spotlight on the ongoing struggle for rights in the country.

The issue came to light following a tweet by a user, King Yusuf (@iamking_yusuf), who tagged the Nigerian police and its Public Relations Officer (PPRO), questioning the legality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer rights in Nigeria.

He wrote: @Princemoye1 @PoliceNG una no update us sa LGBTQ is now legal in Naijao. Buh no shaking, all of us go well last last.

The police PRO, Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, responded, emphasizing that such activities are considered criminal and punishable under Nigerian law.

In his words;

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.

His response emphatically underscored the government’s stance on LGBTQ rights, labeling such expressions as “unnatural offences” and affirming the commitment to take legal action against individuals participating in the TikTok challenge.

Consequently, this incident illuminates the digital arena as a new battleground for LGBTQ visibility and rights advocacy in Nigeria.

Moreover, while social media platforms offer a space for the community to express themselves and connect with like-minded individuals globally, they simultaneously expose members to risks of legal repercussions and social condemnation in countries with anti-LGBTQ laws.

Therefore, the clash between such expressions and legal restrictions in Nigeria raises critical questions about the future of LGBTQ rights and digital freedom in the country.

See the video below;