Twelve men have been arrested by the Sharia Police in Kano for allegedly attempting gay marriage, though 10 were later released, a spokesman for the group overseeing Islamic rules said on Tuesday.

Gay marriage, same-sex relationships and membership of gay rights groups were banned in January 2014 by the Nigerian government.

A spokesman for the sharia law group, Mohammed Yusuf Yola, said the men were arrested at the scene of the ceremony on the outskirts of Kano on Sunday following a tip-off.

“It is still an allegation but when we screened them, they really looked gay, and the way they behaved was gay,” Yola said.

He further disclosed that 10 out of the 12 suspects were released after their parents signed a statement saying they would keep their children away from such activities.

The parents also agreed that they would be handed over to the police for prosecution if they were caught again.

Nigeria’s anti-gay laws provide for sentences of up to 14 years in prison.

Credit: ekekeee