The Nigerian LGBTQ+ community is in turmoil following the murder of a prominent cross-dresser known as the “Abuja Area Mama” early Thursday. This killing, which occurred in the capital city of Abuja, has heightened fears among activists and members of the LGBTQ+ community, who are already grappling with a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ violence in recent weeks.
Franklin Ejiogu, a close friend of the victim and founder of Creme De la Creme, a support organization for trans and nonbinary individuals in Nigeria, has expressed deep concern. According to Ejiogu, the body of Area Mama was discovered by the roadside with a gunshot wound to the head. The exact circumstances surrounding the attack remain unclear, but the killing is part of a troubling pattern of violence against LGBTQ+ people in the country.
Ejiogu attributes the increase in hate crimes to the recent signing of the Samoa Agreement by Nigerian authorities. The Samoa Agreement, a pact between the European Union and 79 other countries, including several African, Caribbean, and Pacific nations, was signed on June 28. It aims to strengthen democratic norms, human rights, and economic growth. However, critics argue that the agreement lacks clarity on gender rights issues, which has been interpreted by some as an endorsement of LGBTQ+ rights.
The signing of the Samoa Agreement has been controversial in Nigeria, where LGBTQ+ rights are severely restricted. Ejiogu and other activists believe that the perceived support for LGBTQ+ rights has fueled animosity and violence against the community. “What actually pushed up these hate crimes is the signing of this Samoa Agreement,” Ejiogu said. “Media houses in Nigeria broke news that Nigerian government was encouraging LGBTQ+ movement in Nigeria and now the nonstate actors are now targeting the transgender community members and nonbinary people.”
In addition to Area Mama’s murder, recent weeks have seen a series of violent attacks on LGBTQ+ individuals. Ejiogu reported that just days before Area Mama’s death, two trans persons were lynched in Kogi State and another in a nearby area. This escalation of violence has prompted Creme De la Creme to issue security warnings and offer guidance to community members.
LGBTQ+ activist Promise Ohiri, also known as Empress Cookie, has condemned the murder and called for justice. She warned that if the perpetrators of such crimes are not held accountable, it could lead to more widespread violence against the queer community. “This is a gateway to uncivilized injustices against the queer community, especially the trans community,” Ohiri said. “Phobic people attacking us, start killing us illegally in a way that is not acceptable or even following the laws that criminalize us. We’re really scared.”
Nigeria’s national laws are notoriously harsh towards LGBTQ+ individuals. Same-sex relationships are punishable by up to 14 years in prison, and in the more conservative northern regions governed by Sharia law, the punishment can be as severe as the death penalty. Despite these legal threats, the LGBTQ+ community in Nigeria continues to face violence and discrimination.
In 2022, Nigerian authorities attempted to introduce a law criminalizing cross-dressing, but it was suspended following widespread protests. However, the fear of further legislation and the hostile social climate continue to pose significant risks to LGBTQ+ individuals.
The murder of Area Mama has cast a spotlight on the dire situation faced by Nigeria’s LGBTQ+ community. As activists like Ejiogu and Ohiri call for justice and increased protection, the community remains on edge, navigating an environment where violence and discrimination are an ever-present threat. The need for legal protection and societal acceptance has never been more urgent as they continue to advocate for their basic rights and safety.
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