The Kano State Hisbah Board has disowned its official, Idris Ahmed, who was caught in a viral video advocating for the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer, LGBTQ individuals in Nigeria.
In the viral video, Mr Ahmed, who is the head of Hisbah medical unit, shared his personal journey and evolving perspective on LGBTQ issues.
He also called for an amendment of the constitution to protect gay rights.
Mr Ahmed said: “My first encounter with this situation was very shocking. But now, having experienced it again, I realise they are people like me, human beings deserving of respect and dignity.
“I see them now as my sisters and brothers,” he added.
But addressing a press conference on Monday in Kano, the Commander-General of the Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, said the views expressed by the official were his personal views and not those of the board.
Mr Daurawa said that the board has been unrelenting in clamping down on gay clubs popularly called ‘Yan daudu’ in the state.
“Everyone is aware of how we are battling with Yan daudu. We have always raided and shut down events associated with gay persons in the state,” he said.
While reaffirming the board’s zero tolerance for the activities of LGBTQ members, Mr Daurawa advised those practicing the act to leave the state.
“We are aware that some NGOs in the state promote the LGBTQ movement. And we will not allow them to continue with what they are doing,” he said.
He also threatened to deal with the Hisbah official in the video in circulation for his alleged offence.
“We have since transferred this case to our disciplinary unit, and I am sure they will deal with him accordingly,” he said.
He called on the general public to be vigilant with the activities of LGBTQ members, saying that they are in every nook and cranny of the state spreading and luring youths into their clubs.
On his part, the embattled Hisbah official, Idris Ahmed, said that he was ignorant of the meaning of the LGBTQ, apologising to Hisbah Board to forgive him.
“Honestly, all I know about this organisation is they were into empowering women. And I attended their workshop several times, not knowing what they were actually promoting. In fact I didn’t know the meaning of the word LGBTQ. I am apologising to Hisbah for what I did,” he said.
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