Kito: A Human Rights Crisis Predicated on Sexual Orientation By The Initiative for Equal Rights TIERs)
Kito, an umbrella term for kidnapping, assault, blackmail, extortion and robbery, has been an incessant blight on the safety and security of Nigerian citizens. Kito involves luring someone perceived to be a sexual minority through an online platform for a meet-up where they are held hostage, sexually and physically assaulted, blackmailed, extorted and robbed.
Numerous victims have reported human rights violations of this specific nature, where they are targeted online due to their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. They are lured to a secluded location with promises of job offers, opportunities, or companionship. Upon arrival, a group of perpetrators ambushes them, holds them hostage, and subjects them to sexual assault, blackmail, extortion and robbery.
Over the past seven years, human rights organizations have documented a significant surge in Kito cases. Astonishingly, about 70% of the 996 human rights violations documented in the last year, based on real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, and sex characteristics, were Kito cases. Prejudice and discrimination that often persists with law enforcement agencies prevent these victims from seeking justice for these human rights violations. Perpetrators exploit this bias prevalent within law enforcement agencies to perpetuate and escalate their criminal activities. Often, law enforcement agencies frequently misrepresent victims as members of the Kito gang, reinforcing the harmful misconception that people of diverse sexual orientations are predators preying on the Nigerian public.
On March 17, 2024, the Nigerian Police apprehended a nine-member Kito gang in Lagos state, Nigeria. The gang was arrested at Ikate and taken to the Special Squad1, Police Headquarters in Ikeja. These alleged criminals are being held for kidnapping and armed robbery and will be charged following a thorough investigation. Several lawyers accompanied their clients, who were Kito victims, to where the alleged criminals were held to identify their perpetrators. However, one of these lawyers who was the first to arrive at the scene was unlawfully arrested on false claims of gang affiliation.
Subsequently, on March 20th, the police filed for a remand order at a Magistrate Court in Lagos. The court granted a 20-day remand order for all the gang members pending the completion of the investigation. The court refused to make a remand order against the lawyer as there was no prima facie evidence linking him to the gang.
Human rights defenders and organizations in Nigeria implore the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that these alleged criminals are brought to justice, serving as a beacon of hope for all Nigerian citizens who have fallen victim to the heinous crime known as Kito.
