The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of three young men in Saki over allegations of engaging in same-sex sexual activities. The command said the arrests followed intelligence received by its operatives and a subsequent investigation directed by the Commissioner of Police.
The suspects were identified as Ayomide Lukeman, 22; Shuaib Aremu, 22; and Abdul-Rasheed Mufeed, 23. Their arrests were disclosed in a statement issued on Friday, October 16, 2026, by the command's Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, who said the operation was carried out by personnel attached to the Command Monitoring Unit, Saki Operational Base.
According to Olayinka, the police received intelligence on September 29, 2026, concerning allegations of same-sex sexual activities involving individuals in the area. Following receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police directed the monitoring unit to verify the allegations and take appropriate action. The police said the investigation subsequently led to the arrest of the three men.
The command further alleged that the suspects admitted during preliminary questioning to engaging in same-sex sexual activities. Olayinka said two of the men reportedly acknowledged having sexual relations with the third suspect on several occasions, adding that the police account described the third individual as someone the others regarded as their wife.
The statements attributed to the suspects were presented by the police as part of their preliminary findings. The command did not provide independent evidence supporting the allegations or disclose the circumstances in which the reported admissions were obtained. The available police statement also did not specify the exact dates of the alleged activities.
Olayinka explained that investigations were continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the allegations and determine whether other individuals were connected to the matter. The command did not announce any additional arrests or identify other persons being investigated in connection with the case.
The arrests come within Nigeria's existing legal framework regulating same-sex relationships and sexual activities. Under the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, which came into force in 2014, same-sex marriages and civil unions are prohibited, alongside certain activities involving same-sex relationships and organisations. Other provisions of Nigerian criminal law also prohibit sexual acts between men.
The legislation prescribes different penalties depending on the offence established. Same-sex marriage or civil union attracts a maximum prison sentence of 14 years, while specified offences involving the registration or operation of gay organisations and public displays of same-sex amorous relationships carry penalties of up to 10 years. Separate provisions of criminal law address sexual conduct between men.
However, the police statement did not identify the specific statutory provisions under which the three men might be prosecuted. It also did not confirm that formal charges had been filed against them or that they had appeared before a court.
The distinction between an allegation, an arrest and a criminal conviction remains important in the case. Although the police reported that the suspects made admissions during questioning, those claims have not been tested in judicial proceedings, and no court has been reported to have determined their guilt.
In its statement, the Oyo State Police Command maintained that the investigation would be conducted professionally and impartially, in accordance with applicable laws. The command said appropriate action would be taken after the relevant investigative procedures had been completed and the facts established.
Police authorities also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist crime prevention, detection and investigation. Residents were advised to contact the Oyo State Call Response Centre through 615 or the Police Command Control Room on 08081768614 and 07055495413 when reporting emergencies or providing relevant information.
As of the latest police statement, investigations remained ongoing, with no confirmed announcement concerning prosecution or the outcome of the allegations against Lukeman, Aremu and Mufeed. The three men remain entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty before a competent court.
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