Women face arrests, violence, and legal persecution
The Nigerian government has issued a stark warning that underscores the country’s rigid stance on sexual orientation: any engagement in same-sex relationships or acts will attract full legal prosecution, with special emphasis on lesbianism, and assaults on security personnel will be punished without exception. This warning follows a national security assessment that reviewed incidents of civil unrest, confrontations with law enforcement, and attacks on security formations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
While the government frames this as a law-and-order measure, human rights organisations and international observers argue that these laws disproportionately target lesbian and queer women, exposing them to harassment, violence, and legal persecution. Nigeria’s legal environment, combined with entrenched societal stigma, paints a dangerous reality for those living openly or suspected of being LGBTQ+.
Lesbianism and Same-Sex acts are criminalised
At the center of Nigeria’s anti-LGBTQ+ enforcement is the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA) of 2014. The law criminalises same-sex relationships, marriage ceremonies, and public displays of same-sex affection. It also makes it illegal to belong to or support LGBTQ+ groups. Anyone found guilty under the SSMPA faces up to 14 years in prison, and police are mandated to investigate, arrest, and prosecute violators.
The law is especially punitive in the northern states where Sharia law is implemented, supplementing federal legislation. Here, same-sex acts between men and women can theoretically carry life imprisonment or even death as maximum punishment. Though executions are rare, the threat of extreme legal action remains, creating an environment of fear for lesbian and queer women in these regions.
The Nigerian government has reiterated that any person found engaging in lesbianism or homosexual acts will be prosecuted, highlighting that the law is fully enforceable across all states. Security agencies have been instructed to take immediate action against individuals suspected of same-sex relationships or assaults on security personnel, reinforcing a climate of legal and social vulnerability.
Arrests and prosecutions across regions
Despite growing international criticism, police and security agencies continue to arrest people accused of same-sex gatherings, including women. These arrests often involve public humiliation,
detention without charge, and prolonged pre-trial confinement.
Northern Nigeria – Gombe and Kano
In late October 2023, authorities in Gombe State arrested 76 people , 59 men and 17 women at a private gathering alleged to be planning a same-sex wedding. The operation, carried out by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was described as preventing an “unlawful marriage.”
Among those detained were individuals of both sexes, though the “bride-to-be” reportedly escaped prior to the raid. While few convictions from this arrest have been publicly reported, the case reflects the heavy-handed enforcement of anti-LGBTQ+ laws in northern Nigeria, where Sharia courts can exacerbate penalties for same-sex conduct.
In Kano State, similar raids have targeted gatherings suspected of involving lesbian or gay couples, demonstrating a pattern of proactive policing based on suspicion alone, rather than clear evidence of criminal conduct.
Southern Nigeria – Delta State and Lagos
The south has also witnessed significant crackdowns. In Delta State in August 2023, police arrested dozens of people accused of participating in an alleged gay wedding at a hotel in Warri. Authorities paraded the suspects publicly, violating their rights to privacy and dignity. While some detainees were later released on bail, the public shaming left lasting social consequences.
Earlier cases in Lagos and other southern states saw dozens prosecuted on suspicion of same-sex conduct. These cases highlight that the SSMPA functions not only as a legal instrument but also as a mechanism for social intimidation, particularly against lesbian and queer women who are often more vulnerable to exposure.
Violence beyond the courtroom: Extra-judicial threats
Legal persecution is only one aspect of the dangers facing lesbians in Nigeria. Extrajudicial violence, mob attacks, and harassment compound the risk, creating a pervasive climate of fear.
Benin city: Murder of a lesbian woman
In February 2024, a lesbian woman, Natasha Ojo Uyi, was murdered in Benin City, Edo State, while her partner was attacked. The assailants accused them of being lesbians. The case underscores a grim reality: visibility or even perceived same-sex attraction can trigger lethal violence, with limited avenues for justice.
Human rights organisations reported that local authorities were slow to intervene, and despite public outrage, prosecutions against the perpetrators have been limited. The murder of Natasha
highlights the intersection of societal homophobia and systemic failure to protect vulnerable women.
Death of an LGBTQ Activist: Abuja Area Mama
In August 2024, Ifeanyi Chukwu-Agah Benedict, known as Abuja Area Mama, a crossdresser and LGBTQ+ activist, was beaten and stabbed to death in the Federal Capital Territory. The attack remains unsolved, leaving the community and rights advocates without clear accountability.
Abuja Area Mama’s death exemplifies the heightened risk faced by gender-nonconforming individuals, including lesbians and queer women who are more visible in public spaces or online.
“Kito” attacks: Civilian-driven violence
Lesbians in Nigeria also face “kito” attacks, a form of civilian-enacted extortion and violence. Victims are often lured through dating apps or social media, then beaten, robbed, or blackmailed.
In 2025, reports surfaced of a woman who was assaulted and robbed after being tricked into meeting someone under false pretenses. These attacks operate outside the law and are rarely investigated, leaving victims without protection or recourse, reinforcing the climate of fear and insecurity.
Intersection of prejudices: Region, ethnicity, and religion
Nigeria’s diversity, encompassing Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Edo, and other ethnic groups, shapes how homophobia manifests. However, there is no evidence of systematic ethnic targeting of lesbians. Rather, violence occurs on an individual basis, often fueled by local moral norms, religious beliefs, and social pressure.
Societal stigma against same-sex relationships cuts across regions, with religious and cultural institutions often reinforcing discriminatory attitudes. This means that lesbians can face persecution in both northern Sharia-dominated states and southern regions, albeit through different forms of enforcement and social pressure.
Human rights reactions and calls for change
The harsh realities faced by lesbians in Nigeria have drawn criticism from international and domestic rights groups:
Amnesty International described mass arrests at social gatherings as a “witch-hunt” and called for an end to discriminatory policing practices.
Human Rights Watch condemned public parading of detainees and violations of fair trial rights, urging Nigerian authorities to ensure accountability.
These calls for reform emphasize the urgent need for legal protections and societal change, though the Nigerian government has remained steadfast in enforcing the SSMPA and associated laws.
Criminalisation, violence, and the price of visibility
In Nigeria, the criminalisation of same-sex conduct empowers law enforcement to prosecute individuals based on real or perceived sexual orientation, with lesbians being particularly vulnerable. Mass arrests in Gombe and Delta States, the murder of Natasha Ojo Uyi in Benin City, the unsolved killing of Abuja Area Mama, and ongoing “kito” attacks illustrate a pervasive climate of danger.
The federal government’s reiteration that any individual engaging in same-sex acts will be prosecuted, combined with societal hostility, has entrenched a culture of fear. For lesbian women, public visibility whether in social gatherings, online spaces, or even private life can trigger arrest, harassment, and life-threatening violence.
Human rights advocates continue to call for reform, accountability, and the protection of fundamental human rights. Yet in a country where legal, social, and extra-judicial pressures converge, the lived experiences of lesbians reveal the true cost of criminalisation: fear, insecurity, and the constant threat of violence.