Nigerians are lured into a trap and expelled for being gay
After Nigeria passed some of the toughest anti-gay laws in Africa, the internet became a place where LGBT people couldconnect with others safely -until criminals went digital too. .BBC Africa Eye investigates how criminals present potential dates on a popular dating app,only to rob, beat and even kidnap people. Warning: This story contains references to suicide
Living openly as a gay man in Nigeria was dangerous for Mohammed.
He was always cautious when considering meeting someone -but the arrangement ruined his life forever. The father of three met Jamal online. They had been talking for some time when he finally decided to see her in person. She said she likedhim, even trusted him, so one afternoon she met Jamal in town and went home.
Or a trap. Mohammed is about to get into the shower, but as soon as he gets dressed, a group of men come in and startbeating him and demanding money.
Jamal made a nude video with the gang, begging them to let him go. "I can't believe that someone I trusted would do thisto me."
When the video was posted,Mohammed said his life had fallen apart.
He kept his sexuality to himself - on the surface, he was a married man raising a family. "My son saved me"
Speaking in a white headscarfand mask to conceal his identity, he agreed to speak to the BBC on condition of anonymity.
"I'm crying. I want to kill myself.
He described the moment a phone call from his son saved him from ending it all.
“I took my children, three of them. My son told me that he loves his father. Even though his father was royalty, he had no problem with that. "It gave me a reason not to kill myself."
Mohammed fell at this time, tore off his white hat, got up, hid his face, and began to cry. Throwing back what happened to him is very sad. According to an activist group that workswith the LGBT community in Nigeria, about 15 to 20 people contact them every week with stories similar to Mohammed.
This type of torture, where an LGBT person is trapped, is known in the Nigerian gay community as "kito" - the exact origin of this term is unknown.BBC Africa Eye interviewed 21 people about their experiences of being "kito'd".
In the dark room There is an underground gay scene in Lagos, but those who participate in it should be careful Emmanuel, who did not give his real name, explained how he and his friend started chatting online, but he did not know thathis friend's account had been hacked. When he arranged to meet him, he was ambushed by a group of about five men.
“They made a video of me and they were asking weird questions. They said, "What'sthe name of the school you go to?" Where are you from? What are your parents' names? I know they will use this video to hurt me. So I also gave them wrong information.
The gang did not upload the video, but forced him to withdraw 500,000 naira ($1,000; £860) from his accountand tortured him with a metal. He raises his hand to show the bruises left under his fingersfrom the attack. After distributing the money, the gang let him go. "It broke my heart. I don't trust anyone anymore. I don't feel comfortable.
In 2014, the same-sex marriage (ban) law came into effect in Nigeria and introduced a new 14-year prison term for anyone caught practicing same-sex or same-sex marriage.
It also prohibited public displays of affection between same-sex couples, forcing those who "overtly or indirectly [demonstrate] romantic relationships" male and female male and female" 10 years. It bans gay clubs, introducing a 10-year prison term for anyone who joins, works or participates in gay clubs, societies and organizations, including supporters of such organizations.
The amendment received overwhelming support, according to the survey, and it also means that Nigeria hassome of the toughest laws against homosexuality in Africa. Twelve states in the north cansentence people to death under Sharia, or Islamic law, for engaging in homosexual acts. The new law, according to a report by Human Rights Watch, "enables the legalization of crimes against LGBT people, making the situation worse."
In 2014, media reports of violence, justice and extortion against LGBT people were commonplace and activists saidthere had been a crackdown on rape cases. The woman looks away Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim says thatsome people are celebratingLGBT asylum Actress Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim, who lives openly as a gay woman in Nigeria, says that anti-LGBTpeople are "unacceptable".
"Every other day there is newson the internet. Sometimes we have stories where people are killed. “These are the reactions ofother Nigerians. It's almost a program. 'Oh great, well, they kill them. They should not be left out. And there is no justice. Mrs. Etim said what makes it more difficult is that the victims feel they cannot go to the police for fear of being arrested or even assaulted.
"It's just sad, you know." He said the gay community, which is forced to live online, should also be careful. "We don't have the same genderprivilege of going up to someone on the street or in a restaurant and saying, 'Can I have your number?'
However, some law enforcement officers are working with the extremists to arrest blackmailers.
BBC Africa Eye spoke to the Nigerian National Security and Defense Commission (NSCDC). He works alongside a group of activists who identify themselves online as LGBT people looking to meet a potential partner. The intentionis to deceive the blackmailers. "To me, there is no one above the law in this country. Blackmail is a crime. This is a serious crime," he said, speaking to the BBC on condition of anonymity.
“If someone brings an issue to my desk about anti-gay issues, I will hunt them down. Of course."
Victims contact violent groupswith names and pictures of black people. They forward thisinformation to the NSCDC, who initiate the process to nab the criminals. "Wherever they are, I want to tell them that there is no hiding place for black peoplein Nigeria."
The problem they face is getting the victims to testify in court. In a country where being gay can land you in jail, few people willstand up and be honest about their sexuality. This means that criminals are often not prosecuted.
And there is little consolationfor the victims. Many people interviewed by BBC Africa Eye have lost their jobs since the harrowing footage went viral.Some were evicted from their homes, and others were evictedfrom their families. They all struggle with their mental health. For Mohammed, who once thought of ending his life, he is still ashamed as his video is stillonline.
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