Nigerian police declare same-sex marriage illegal, warn against violation
In a public statement, the Nigerian Police Force has declared same-sex marriage illegal in the country, reaffirming existing laws prohibiting unnatural offences.
The police emphasized the legal consequences outlined in the Nigerian Criminal Code Act and the Nigerian Penal Code, applicable in the Southern and Northern states, respectively.
According to Sections 214 to 217 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act, acts considered unnatural, such as carnal knowledge against the order of nature or involving animals, are explicitly criminalized. Additionally, Section 284 of the Nigerian Penal Code reinforces these prohibitions in the Northern states.
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The Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014 was highlighted as a legal instrument criminalizing the solemnization, operation, and public display of same-sex marriages.
The police urged citizens to understand and adhere to these laws, emphasizing that any violation would be met with due legal processes.
The statement called on citizens to report any suspicious activities related to unnatural offences or same-sex marriage, encouraging collective efforts to enforce the law.
Parents and guardians were also urged to support the police in combating activities deemed alien to Nigerian culture and punishable under the law.
