Jail the Gays bill: Nigerian police hunt gay marriage organisers in Sokoto state

Nigerian police are looking for two people accused of having organised a gay marriage in the city of Sokoto, capital of Sokoto state. The owner of the house where the alleged ceremony occurred has already been arrested, a police spokesman told the BBC.

Homosexuality is illegal in Nigeria. Nigerians involved in gay marriage or civil unions face imprisonment for up to 14 years under the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill signed into law by former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.

According to the bill, dubbed "Jail the Gays", anyone who registers, operates or takes part in gay organisations or makes a public show of a same-sex relationship will be punished with up to 10 years in prison.

The implementation of the law prompted a crackdown on homosexual citizens. Amnesty International said the new legislation disregards human rights and warned it mirrored the laws enforced by the military dictators who ruled Nigeria until 1999.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who defeated Jonathan in 2015's election, has not hinted he will amend or scrap anti-gay laws in the country.

The US, which became a staunch ally of Nigeria after Buhari took office, said it will put pressure on Nigeria to scrap homophobic laws and allow homosexual unions.

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