The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Gombe State has arrested 76 individuals suspected of engaging in same-sex relationships within the state.
The suspects were taken into custody by NSCDC personnel at a location in Gombe metropolis where an alleged same-sex marriage was set to occur.
The arrest was made following a tip-off regarding a planned same-sex birthday party, which was to be followed by the consummation of the marriage.
This was made known by the Gombe State NSCDC Commandant, Muhammad Bello Mu’azu during a press briefing, at the Command headquarters, in Gombe on Sunday.
The Commandant, represented by NSCDC Public Relations Officer SC Buhari Sa’ad, emphasized the NSCDC’s strong stance against such social vices, which led to the prevention of the wedding.
READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Economy Warned of Instability in Latest Risk Assessment
The Commandant further disclosed that following investigations, the Command discovered that out of the 76 suspects, 59 are males with 21 of them said to have confessed to being homosexuals, while 17 females who are believed to be involved in same-sex relationships were also arrested at the scene.
Muhammad Muazu said, “They were arrested at Duwa plaza along Bauchi-Gombe expressway, holding homosexual birthday party and had plans to hold same sex wedding before our men raided the scene.”
READ ALSO: Court Receives Suits Seeking Removal of EFCC Chairman
He explained that “59 males were arrested, 21 willfully confessed to being homosexuals and 17 females, being present at the scene we also picked up amongst them.”
The Commandant while lamenting the degeneration of morality among the Youths, said that he will send the culprits to school where they will not have adequate time for frivolities.”
He noted that they would be charged to court upon completion of investigation, to answer for their crimes which is on social vice; a crime in Gombe.