Seven people between the ages of 18 and 25 have been arrested for allegedly breaking Nigeria’s anti-gay laws, according to a report on the Punch news site.
The report cites a statement by the commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps that the parents of one of the detainees reported their son to authorities. That person then allegedly revealed information that led to the arrests of the other six, the Punch report says.
The commandant is quoted as saying that parents and teachers should be doing more to prevent young people from engaging in “this kind of behaviour.”
In May, Nigerian lawmakers approved an anti-gay measure that bans same-sex marriage, prevents the formation of organizations that support gay rights, and establishes prison sentences of up to 14 years for offenders.
The bill was reportedly sent to President Goodluck Jonathan for his signature, but he has yet to sign off on it.
Gay sex has been criminalized in Nigeria since colonial rule, and there is open discrimination against gay people.
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