GOMBE, Nigeria — Two men in Gombe, northeastern Nigeria, were brutally attacked by a mob late on Monday night after reportedly being caught in what witnesses described as “an intimate situation.”
The incident, which took place in the early hours of Monday, April 5, 2021 in a residential area of the state capital, has ignited fresh concerns over the treatment of suspected sexual minorities in Nigeria’s conservative north.
Local residents who spoke to The Trent on condition of anonymity said the violence began when a third occupant of the house, believed to be a friend of one of the men, walked in on the pair and immediately raised the alarm.
Within minutes, neighbours stormed the property and began to beat the two men with sticks, belts, and other objects.
“They were shouting that the boys must die,” said one witness who lives on the same street. “If it wasn’t for the police, those boys would not be alive today.”
According to eyewitnesses and a security source familiar with the case, the attack took place around 9:30 p.m. in the densely populated Pindiga neighbourhood.
A police officer who resides nearby reportedly heard the commotion and intervened, calling for backup from other officers who eventually dispersed the crowd.
The two victims were taken to a nearby clinic for treatment of serious injuries. From there, they were transported to a local police station, where they were detained and later formally charged
Police sources confirmed to The Trent that the men have been arraigned for violating Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, which criminalises same-sex relationships and prescribes up to 10 years imprisonment for anyone who “directly or indirectly” engages in or supports such acts.
“The suspects were charged under the relevant provisions of the law,” a senior officer at the Pindiga Town Police Division said.
“They were granted bail after satisfying the conditions set by the magistrate.”
The officer declined to provide names of the individuals involved, citing security and legal considerations, but said the case would proceed to trial in the coming weeks.
Same-sex relationships are outlawed in Nigeria, and in the northern region — which includes Gombe — Islamic Sharia law operates in parallel with federal statutes, often enforcing harsher moral codes.
In Gombe, a Muslim-majority state, public opinion is largely hostile toward LGBTQ+ persons.
A community elder in the area told The Trent that the incident has caused unrest in the neighbourhood.
“It’s something we never expected,” he said. “People are angry, and they believe such things bring shame.”
Human rights groups have long warned of the dangers faced by LGBTQ+ Nigerians, particularly in the north, where there have been documented cases of vigilante justice and public executions in recent years.
In 2020, Amnesty International reported that individuals accused of same-sex conduct were routinely subjected to mob violence, police brutality, and social ostracisation.
One of the men involved, who agreed to speak to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, described the night as “the most terrifying moment” of his life.
“Many people came instantly, and they descended on us,” he said.
“What saved us was it happened at night and not daytime. If it was day time, they would have stoned us to death.”
He added that he is from the South Eastern part of Nigeria and had grown up in Gombe and was aware of the risks but never expected the reaction to be so violent.
“We were beaten mercilessly,” he said.
As of press time, the victims remained in hiding after being released on bail. Local advocates have raised concerns about their safety pending trial.
