Criminologists say that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF)’s disposition towards queer murder cases could embolden and encourage attackers to commit more crimes in Nigeria.
On the morning of August 8, the body of a crossdresser, who was popularly referred to as Abuja Area Mama before her death, was found on the Katampe-Mabushi Expressway in Abuja. Then pictures of Abuja Area Mama, which suggested the crossdresser was murdered, made the rounds on social media platforms.
Instantly, social media users who knew her before her death through her content on social media were able to identify her. Benneth Igweh, the FCT Police Commissioner, ordered an investigation into the cause of her death with the aim of apprehending the perpetrator(s) who committed the crime.
Days became weeks, and there was no word from the police regarding Abuja Area Mama’s apparent murder until Tuesday when the FCT Police Command published a press release notifying Nigerians that they had “finally” identified the crossdresser.
PRESS STATEMENT RE: CULPABLE HOMICIDE: POLICE FINALLY IDENTIFIES MALE CROSS-DRESSER FOUND DEAD ON KATAMPE-MABUSHI EXPRESS WAY.Sequel to a case of culpable homicide and discovery of an unidentified male corpse earlier mistaken for a female on August 8, 2024. The operatives of… pic.twitter.com/OSdurbcZIo— FCT POLICE COMMAND (@FCT_PoliceNG) August 21, 2024
The press release read:
“CULPABLE HOMICIDE: POLICE FINALLY IDENTIFIES MALE CROSS-DRESSER FOUND DEAD ON KOTAMPE-MABUSHI EXPRESS WAY.
“Sequel to a case of culpable homicide discovery of an unidentified male corpse earlier mistaken for a female on August 8, 2024. The operatives of the FCT Command have begun a discreet investigation as ordered by the commissioner of police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh.
“Preliminary investigations revealed the deceased to be one Ifeanyi Chukwu-Agah Benedict, a 33-year-old man who hails from Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and resides at Dape in Karmo Area of Abuja. The family of the deceased have also been contacted, as they are aiding the police with necessary information.
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“Further development will be communicated in due course.”
This press release came two weeks after the death of the crossdresser. It also did not state if the criminals who might have had a hand in her death had been apprehended.
In Nigeria, crossdressers like Abuja Area Mama are considered outlaws due to Nigeria’s socio-cultural beliefs which shun homosexuality and cross-dressing.
Members of the LGBTQ community considered as outlaws like Abuja Area Mama are often targeted by criminals. Sometimes, gay men are lured into hotel rooms or private places by straight men with the intention of attacking them.
Regardless of the perception of the public, these individuals who are considered as outlaws have rights like every other citizen.
Rights to life, personal dignity, and a fair trial for an alleged offender are universal; this includes the alleged “outlaw”. There are legal provisions that highlight these. For instance, these provisions are enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution (Chapter 4, sections 33, 34, and 36).
Also, Articles 5 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations also guarantee the rights of everyone, including an alleged outlaw, and how they should be treated.
Criminologists told FIJ on Friday that if the disposition of the police suggests that an alleged outlaw’s right to life does not matter or count, it could embolden their attackers and even encourage them to continue hunting for other people considered outlaws.
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Tomisin Adeshola-Akangbe, a lecturer of Criminology in the University of Ilorin, told FIJ on Thursday that when there is a delay in carrying out investigations or addressing issues such as attacks on crossdressers and other individuals considered outlaws.
She also said that, when criminals who perpetrate such crimes are not held accountable, other citizens may feel emboldened to take the law into their own hands.
This leads to more instances of such killings she referred to as “senseless killings”.
“Queer killings also undermine the rule of law as individuals or mobs take the law into their own hands rather than relying on the justice system,” she told FIJ.
“It would also create a sense of fear in these crossdressers, thereby making them more aggressive as a means of defending themselves. This can lead to attacks on perceived threats which only leads to a cycle of avoidable attacks.”
Many Nigerians already have a level of mistrust towards the police and the delay of the police in apprehending and punishing criminals who choose to attack outlaws can further erode public trust in the police, making citizens less likely to report crimes or cooperate with investigations, according to Adeshola-Akangbe.
“Also, as it is, there is a level of mistrust from the public towards the police, delays in apprehending and punishing criminals can further erode public trust in the police force, making citizens less likely to report crimes or cooperate with investigations,” Adeshola-Akangbe noted.
“These individuals (outlaw) may feel that law enforcement agencies are not taking their safety seriously, so they may be less likely to report stalking, bullying, hate crimes or even to seek help, allowing criminals to continue their actions unchecked.”
Obasanjo Balogun, another lecturer of criminology shares this sentiment.
“Taking another person’s life is not for common miscreants on the street or anyone else. No one has the right to take the life of another, not even the life of an alleged “outlaw”. This is explicitly expressed under section 33 (1) of our Constitution,” Balogun on Friday.
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“Only a charged suspect found guilty by a competent court of law in a case that his offence warrants the death penalty, that such person can be denied his rights to life,” he added.
Balogun also told FIJ that law enforcement agencies, particularly the police as the agent of the state, must strive to guarantee these rights.
Nigerian policemen themselves are occasionally found on the wrong side of the law.
“I will implore the police and other relevant law enforcement agencies to investigate the death of the victim. And anyone found guilty of perpetrating such a heinous crime should be made to pay for their illegality according to the law,” Balogun stated.
According to Adeshola-Akangbe, if the attacks on outlaws remain unchecked by the police, chaos and cycles of attacks and reprisal attacks could ensue.
If this happens, law enforcement agencies have failed in one of their major responsibilities, which is the protection of lives and maintenance of law and order.
“So, it becomes imperative for law enforcement agencies to address such killings with urgency, thoroughness, sensitivity to prevent further violence and promote a safer environment for all,” she concluded.
The post Crime Experts Say Nigeria Police Disposition on Queer Killings Would Encourage More Crimes appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.