168 GAY MEN ARRESTED AND JAILED IN BAUCHI STATE

Human rights activists say dozens of gay men are being arrested in
northern Nigeria.
They say such persecution will increase since President Goodluck
Jonathan signed legislation banning same-sex marriage and
criminalizing gay clubs and associations. Dorothy Aken'Ova is
executive director of Nigeria's International Center for Reproductive
Health and Sexual Rights. She said Tuesday the new law, already being
dubbed the "Jail the Gays" law, will endanger and even criminalize
programs fighting HIV-AIDS in the gay community.
She said police in Bauchi state have a list of 168 purportedly gay
men, of whom 38 have been arrested recently. Jonathan's spokesman
confirmed Monday he signed the act providing penalties of up to 14
years in jail for same-sex marriage and up to 10 years' imprisonment
for membership or encouragement of gay organizations.