Three young men are in police custody in Oyo State after an intelligence-led operation over allegations of an unnatural offence in Saki.
The Oyo State Police Command said the suspects were arrested by operatives of its Monitoring Unit following information received on September 29, 2026.
The suspects were identified as Ayomide Lukeman, 22, Shuaib Aremu, 22, and Abdul-Rasheed Mufeed, 23.
According to the police, the operation was ordered by the Commissioner of Police after intelligence reports alleged the involvement of a group in same-sex activities.
The command said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly admitted to engaging in homosexual acts, while investigations are continuing to establish the full circumstances of the case.
Police added that they are also investigating whether other persons were involved in the alleged offence.
The command stressed that the suspects remain under investigation and assured the public that the case would be handled professionally, impartially and in line with the law.
It said all necessary investigative procedures would be followed before any further legal action is taken.
The police also appealed to residents to continue providing timely and credible information to support crime prevention and investigation.
The development has drawn attention to the enforcement of Nigeria’s laws on alleged same-sex relationships, as the police continue their investigation into the case.
Under Nigerian law, same-sex relationships and certain related acts are prohibited. The Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013, criminalises same-sex marriage, civil unions and related activities, while Section 214 of the Criminal Code Act also provides penalties for certain homosexual acts.
The law prescribes severe penalties for persons found guilty of prohibited same-sex offences. Under the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, individuals convicted of entering into a same-sex marriage or civil union may face up to 14 years imprisonment, while involvement in related activities may attract other penalties provided by law.
Legal experts have, however, stressed that suspects remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.