Jigawa Hisbah Board Arrests Eight Over Alleged Homosexual Acts

The Jigawa State Hisbah Board has detained eight individuals in connection with alleged homosexual activities in Kazaure Local Government Area. The arrests followed a formal complaint filed by a 22-year-old resident of the Kanti district in Kazaure town, according to a statement from the Hisbah Board's Public Relations Officer, Dauda Hadejia, released to media outlets on Saturday in Dutse.

The complainant alleged that he had engaged in same-sex acts with a total of nine different individuals on separate occasions. He subsequently tested positive for HIV and told Hisbah authorities that he attributed his infection to these encounters.

The complainant reportedly requested intervention from the authorities, framing his situation as requiring official action. Following receipt of the complaint, Hisbah operatives initiated an investigation into the allegations and conducted operations that led to the arrest of eight suspects.

The Hisbah Board indicated that it would continue its investigative work and present gathered evidence to the court system. A senior official from the Hisbah Corps urged parents and guardians to exercise greater oversight of their children's social circles and relationships.

Homosexual conduct is prohibited under Nigerian law, and in northern states where Islamic law is applied, it is addressed through Sharia provisions. The Hisbah Board, an organization that enforces Islamic law in several northern states including Jigawa, operates within this legal framework.

The status of the suspects and the progress of court proceedings have not yet been detailed in official statements.