The Lagos State Police Command yesterday paraded 57 men for alleged homosexuality.
The suspects were reportedly arrested in the wee hours of Sunday at Kelly Ann Hotel/Event Centre at 3-7, Adenrele Street, Egbeda, during an alleged initiation into a gay club.
While one of the suspects admitted to the offence, saying he wanted to secure visa to the United States of America (U.S.A) or Canada through the club, others denied being homosexuals, insisting that they were at the hotel for wedding, trading and leisure, among others.
Those arrested are: Prince Collins, 23; Emmanuel Odiza, 25; Ola Rotimi; Miracle Onyeka; Wole Ojo, 24; Daniel Sukari; Wealth Olasunkanmi, 25, Madu and James.
Parading the suspects, Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal said the command got intelligence around 12.30 a.m on Sunday that some men were about to be initiated into a homosexuals’ club between 1 a.m and 2 a.m at the event centre.
The police chief said the action contravenes Section 1(1) of The Same Sex Marriage Act, 2014.
He added that it was on the strength of the information the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in charge of Shasha and Idimu stormed the location around 2 a.m.
“On arrival, about 80 men were met in a hall, taking different types of drinks, including banned substances, like Tramadol, Shisha, laced with substances suspected to be marijuana.
“As soon as they sighted the police, they ran towards different directions. But the team arrested 57 of them. Investigation into the case is ongoing.
“The youths have graduated from cultism to homosexuality. This is a dangerous dimension. We must stop them before they infiltrate our streets and schools. This war against gay should not be left for security agencies alone.
“We are fighting cultism, drugs and, at the same time, homosexuality. I think all hands must be on deck to stop this act. Information was received from a sister agency. It is commendable.
“I appeal to the public to emulate the informant and give us reasonable information that will lead to the arrest of suspected gay. We are on the trail of others now on the run.
“I want to advise parents to be weary of the people their children move with and where they go to at a particular time.”
