The Oyo State Police Command has reportedly arrested three men in Saki over alleged homosexual acts. According to Punch Newspapers, the arrest was made following intelligence received by its monitoring unit. The newspaper did not disclose the identities of the suspects or the exact location where the alleged incident occurred. However, it noted that the Command’s spokesperson, SP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the arrest and emphasized the Command’s commitment to upholding the law and protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation. This development comes at a time when debates on sexual orientation and rights are gaining traction in Nigerian public discourse. The Nigerian Constitution does not explicitly outlaw homosexuality, but Section 284 of the Penal Code and Section 214 of the Criminal Code, which are applicable in some states, criminalize ‘unnatural carnal knowledge’ and ‘gross indecency’, which are often used to prosecute cases of homosexuality. The arrest of these three men in Oyo State could further fuel the ongoing debate about the legal status of homosexuality in Nigeria. It is essential to note that the suspects are yet to be charged to court, and their guilt or innocence has not been proven.
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