Male cross-dressers arrested in northern Nigeria

BBC News

Islamic police have arrested twenty-six male cross-dressers at a birthday party in Kano state, northern Nigeria. 

According to deputy commander Tasiu Ishaq, the young men were detained on Sunday. 

“It is a shame that men and good citizens can put up such a behaviour and act like women,” he told the BBC.

The commander said the men were “preached to” about the moral implications of their actions, before being released back to their parents. 

Speaking to BBC News, one of the accused explained that a friend had invited him to the party and that the host had managed to escape as police arrived. 

“They have preached to us and we have prayed since they arrested us. I regret what happened and I will stop this behaviour by God’s grace,” he said.

Kano is one of nine states in northern Nigeria which wholly enforces Sharia law, which has been in place since 2001.

Islamic police are licensed to arrest those they believe are acting in a manner contrary to Islamic laws.