Hisbah Arrests 25 Over Alleged Gay Wedding in Kano

The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested 25 young people for allegedly organizing a same-sex wedding in the state’s capital city.

According to officials, the Islamic police, known as Hisbah, raided an event centre in Kano following a tip-off from local residents. Among those arrested were 18 men and seven women, all in their early twenties, including the two individuals suspected to be the couple.

Deputy Commander-General of Hisbah, Mujaheed Abubakar, confirmed the arrests, stating that one of the men was allegedly preparing to “tie the knot” with another man when officers intervened. He added that investigations have commenced and that those found guilty would face prosecution under the Sharia legal system.

Kano is one of 12 northern Nigerian states that operate Sharia law alongside the federal and state justice systems. Under local interpretations of Sharia, homosexuality is punishable by death, though such sentences have never been carried out.

Nigeria’s 2014 federal law also prohibits same-sex marriage and any form of promotion of LGBTQ+ relationships, carrying penalties of up to 14 years’ imprisonment.

Over the years, the Hisbah has made several arrests at alleged gay weddings, including in 2007, 2015, 2018, and 2022, though no convictions have yet been recorded.

Meanwhile, the issue of same-sex marriage continues to spark controversy within religious circles. Earlier in October, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) formally severed ties with the Church of England following the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, citing her support for same-sex marriage and her position as the first female to hold the role.

In a statement signed by the Primate, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, the Nigerian Church described her appointment as “devastating” and “insensitive,” saying it disregards the convictions of the majority of Anglicans worldwide.

The church also referenced Bishop Mullally’s remarks following the 2023 decision by the Church of England to bless same-sex unions, describing it as “a moment of hope,” a stance that, according to the Nigerian leadership, deepens existing divisions within the global Anglican community.

In a related development, on November 15, 2023, students in Jos, Plateau State, staged a protest against a proposed treaty between the European Union and African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) states, which they claimed could legalize same-sex marriage in Nigeria.

The protesters described the treaty as “an abomination” inconsistent with the moral and religious values of the country. Educationist Dr. Ekaette Ettang, addressing the demonstrators, urged the Federal Government to reject the treaty, warning that its endorsement could expose Nigerian youths to “immoral practices” contrary to the nation’s cultural and religious beliefs.