The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 11 suspects following a raid on Vitalis Motel and Clubhouse in Ogun State on Saturday 14th March 2026.
The Police said the raid was on a suspected hideout for homosexual activities.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Atan Division, Olayinka Adewusi, said some of the suspects had been on the police watchlist prior to the operation.
He stated that while some suspects escaped during the raid, 11 were apprehended, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects.
In an interview facilitated by the police, one of the suspects, Akeem Awoyemi Dada, alleged that he was introduced to homosexuality by his best friend, Rotimi Adeleke, while in secondary school.
Another suspect, Emmanuel Aliagu, was said to have earlier fled to Ghana after being reported to the police.
According to Mr. Adewusi, Aliagu returned to Nigeria to attend his late father’s burial and was arrested while attending a party at the motel and clubhouse.
The Police PPRO stated that during interrogation, Mr. Aliagu confessed to engaging in same-sex relationships since high school and named two alleged former partners, Ikechukwu Okoronkwo and Justin Chukwuemeka Enuonye, who were said to be at large.
Among those arrested was Ramatou Baki, a former staff of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), whom the police said had also been on their watchlist.
In her statement to the police, Ms. Baki said she is bisexual and attributed her aversion to relationships with men to sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated by her stepfather.
She was also reported to have mentioned two alleged partners, Ngozi Alison, a banker, and Mudirah Bukola Adewale.
Another suspect, Alabi Abiola (née Adewunmi), who reportedly was an athlete in secondary school, allegedly stated that she had been in a same-sex relationship with one Ayisat Abebi Salami.
According to the police, the suspect is a widow with three children.
The Police PPRO, Adewusi, cautioned young people against immoral behaviour.
He stated that persons convicted under the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2014 risk a prison term of 10 to 14 years.
He noted that the Act criminalises same-sex marriage, gay clubs, associations, organisations, and public displays of same-sex affection.
Enacted in January 2014 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, the law has been praised in some quarters within Nigeria for protecting traditional values, while it has drawn condemnation from several international human rights groups and countries including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
Police said investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
