Amid the controversy arising from the signing of Samoa agreement by the Nigerian government, some residents of Minna, Niger State, have called on the state government to probe the activities of the International Centre for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (INCRESE), over alleged promotion of LGBTQ rights.
They accused the organisation of violating the same-sex marriage prohibition Act 2024 and practices that are capable of destroying the moral upbringing of people of the state.
On July 9, an activist and social commentator, Mohammed Yahaya Usman shared a post on his Facebook page calling for an investigation into the agency’s activities as well as source of funding.
In the post, Usman attached some documents on the activities of INCRESE and wrote, “This NGO (INCRESE) operates from the heart of Minna, capital city of Niger State, some of my Nigerwatch Newspaper staff have under-cover attended their programmes.
“But the Niger State/Nigeria Government will do well to question what they mean by “sexual minorities,” “safer sex behaviour,” “empowering disadvantage groups,” and “linkages to legal services for adolescents, women living under Sharia Law, and sexual minorities.
“In addition, what is their source of funding, and what does their logo or icon represent? Niger State Government, do your homework.”
However, on July 16, a few days after the post, Usman was invited by police for questioning following a complaint filed against him by the organisation.
He was later detained and released on bail after spending four hours in detention.
His arrest, however, sparked outrage from residents of the state, who claimed the organisation was well funded and capable of destroying the values of the state.
Commenting on the controversy, and operational guides of the organisation, Facebook user MD Abubakar, said, “This is a shocking revelation. So this is what the organisation has been all about?
“I know many of my friends and schoolmates who have gone through their mentorship classes years in the past. I pray that many of their consciences are intact.
“I see nothing wrong in calling the Niger State Government to investigate their activities in all these years. No one should be afraid to come out clean if you have nothing hidden or with an unknown agenda.
“We should join hands together to fight any act of immorality that is not known to our society, especially with our young ones being vulnerable. Thank you, Yahaya Mohd Usman, for asking the right questions and asking them to come out clean.”
Another user, Usman Babangida, said, “I thought INCRESE would go ahead and make clarifications on the question raised about its activities.
“Sai Baba Yahaya Mohd Usman, you will come out strong, In Shaa Allah.”
A teacher and activist, Jibrin Yikangi, said, “The arrest has confirmed the fears of most Nigerlites about the group activities.
“Yahaya Mohd Usman has been detained by the police at Police Headquarters Minna for exercising his right, for saying “Increse” NGO activities should be investigated in Niger State. Our fears have been confirmed, You can see how powerful these foreign NGO’S whose purposes we need to be wary of are?”
Responding to the goodwill message he has received, Usman reaffirmed his calls for the investigation into the activities of the NGO.
“I have brought out more than enough facts about the activities of INCRESE in the state.
“The government and people of Niger should now act to protect and defend humanity and laws of God.
“Remember, we shall all account for our roles before Allah.
“We must not relent and never give up on our duty as citizens of state and servants of God.
“Laws must be obeyed, and the government must protect its citizens from destruction”.
When contacted, the founder of INCRESE, Cesnabmihilo Nuhu-Aken’ova, said the organisation was not a pro-LGBTQ but a human rights organisation that respects and provides support for people, irrespective of sexual orientation or status.
She added that they filed a complaint against Mr Usman over an incitful social media post.
“If he’s ignorant and has questions about our work, he could have come and sit with us. If he thinks we are operating illegally, he could have written to the state governor or reported us to the police.
“But he rushed to Facebook to publish things that are not verified. I don’t understand why he thinks right there in our office, we are doing a gay project. I am an advocate for human rights, and when I am providing services, I don’t necessarily have to ask them what their sexual orientation is.
“If a girl is chased out of the house or boy is brought to my organisation by his parents about behaviour and relationship issues, I will address them.
“I won’t chase a boy out of my office because his parents brought him and complained that he is homosexual,” she said.