The Nigeria Police has reaffirmed that the practice of same-sex marriage in Nigeria is strictly prohibited and punishable under the laws of the country.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement yesterday said the clarification followed a recent post on social media, where some individuals, identified as queer were visibly encouraging and associating themselves with activities perceived to be unnatural in light of Nigerian Laws.

The Nigeria Police enlightened the public on Sections 214 to 217 in the Nigerian Criminal Code Act which specifically criminalizes acts considered unnatural, such as having carnal knowledge of a person or permitting a person to have carnal knowledge of one against the order of nature.

Adejobi also noted that Section 284 of the Nigerian Penal Code states that having carnal knowledge of an animal was also punishable under the law, while the solemnization, operation, and public display of same-sex marriages is criminalized according to the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014.