By Mike Daemon

Since the beginning of the protests against the notoriously brutal and corrupt Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), many LGBTIQ+ persons have joined the protests online and on the streets, seeking an end to police brutality and the frequent abuse that they suffer on the basis of their real or perceived sexual orientation.

Early in the protests, which began early November, some queer Nigerians reported being attacked by homophobic anti-SARS protesters who objected to them carrying placards with LGBTIQ+ inscriptions on them. Some protesters have criticized slogans such as “Queer Lives Matter”, claiming that LGBTIQ+ people’s involvement in the protest was undermining the overall purpose of the protest against police violence.

Timinipre Cole, a lawyer, writer, and queer protester, stated: “It made me realize that probably half of the people I protested with would not have been out to protest if SARS targeted just queer folks. It wouldn’t have been their problem.”

President Muhammadu Buhari agreed to disband SARS, but the protests against all forms of police violence continued and intensified.

Amnesty International said Nigerian security forces killed at least 12 people during a protest Oct. 20 at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos state. Buhari says 69 people nationwide have been killed so far in the protests.

Some injured LGBTIQ+ persons in Lagos were able to get medical care, food, and temporary shelter provided by SAFE HQUSE, an initiative by a group of queer Nigerians supporting LGBT protesters. Read more via African Human Rights Network