Between August 29 and October 21, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ,NSCDC, Gombe State Command, said it arrested 209 suspects across the state for various offenses.
The state Commandant, Mr Mohammed Mu’azu, stated this in an interview in Gombe on Wednesday.
Mu’azu stated that 187 of the 209 suspects had been convicted, while the remaining 22 arrested for alleged homosexuality were still in court.
He explained that the command had increased surveillance and busted several hideouts, resulting in the arrest of several suspects, the majority of whom were involved in anti-social vices.
He also stated that command personnel had responded to Gov. Inuwa Yahaya’s order to close all Gala houses (night clubs) in the state, which had been used to perpetuate several crimes, particularly against minors.
The commandant stated that the rate at which anti-social vices flourished in the state was alarming and had become a source of concern for the command, thus the increased surveillance to combat the threat.
“It is unfortunate that one or two of every five suspects arrested during the raid on Gala houses (nightclubs) where these crimes are committed tested positive for HIV.”
“It is a tradition here that anyone arrested is subjected to medical test and this had helped us to advise relevant stakeholders,” he said.
On the command’s denial of same-sex marriage on Saturday, Mu’azu stated that the threat would not be tolerated in the state.
He warned those who were still involved in such acts to stop because his agents would not relent in bringing them to justice.
“It will astound you to learn that there is an NGO in the state that is providing resources to these young boys in order to support them in their practice of same-sex and homosexuality, telling them that it is their right.”
“I learned that this NGO is providing them (the arrested suspects) with various forms of encouragement, such as condoms, lubricants, antibiotics, and even instruction on how to deal with homosexuality.”
“Before approaching the NGO, we are going to court to obtain a warrant because the future of our children is important to us.”
“We want a better society where our children are not exposed to practices that will derail their future dreams,” he said.
Mu’azu urged government officials at all levels, as well as stakeholders and parents, to take proactive steps to address the issue of homosexuality before it becomes a major crisis for the country.
