Popular Nigeria Gay Rights Advocate Goes into Hiding

As the Nigeria Police Force steps up its clampdown on same sex relationships, gatherings and associations in Nigeria, a popular Nigerian gay rights supporter, Emmanuel Olaoti has reportedly gone into hiding.Emmanuel who is well known for conducting health outreaches and other activities for gay men and lesbians in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria as well as speaking for gay rights, has been off the radar for several months.

Emmanuel had previously granted press interviews on health issues and the scourge of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria especially during the commemoration of the annual World AIDS Day. When reporters visited known gathering spots for their activities in several parts of Lagos, the erstwhile bubbly venues were deserted with community members expressing their appreciation to security agencies for the clampdown as Emmanuel and his group members have always constituted a nuisance in the communities during their so called health outreaches.

Community members interviewed stated that gay people were never welcomed in their communities but Emmanuel’s group claimed they were implementing health programs for all and only realized they were gay groups after they were granted entry into the communities.When our news correspondents put a call through to his mobile phone number which is well known in the health community at various times, the number was unreachable. Text messages sent to the number were also not responded to.

This incident might be unconnected to the clampdown on gay activities in Nigeria which has been intensified over the last 3 years in line with Nigeria’s Same Sex Prohibition Marriage Prohibition Act (2014). The law recommends 14 years jail term for gay people and 10 years jail term for allies of gay people in Nigeria.