In Nigeria, violent attacks targeting LGBTQ+ individuals have escalated, exposing a severe human rights crisis compounded by harsh legal penalties and diminishing international aid. Known locally as "kito," these attacks involve entrapment, kidnapping, torture, and blackmail, frequently orchestrated by organised gangs that use dating apps and social media to target victims.

Amed, a 36-year-old man living in northern Nigeria’s Kaduna state, recounted how he was lured into a trap after matching with a man online. Upon meeting, he was ambushed by a group wielding sticks and subjected to brutal torture while being filmed. The gang demanded ransom, then circulated videos of his abuse to his family and online, exposing both his sexuality and HIV status. Amed, who is HIV-positive and now living in hiding, said the attack left him terrified and financially devastated, with no support from local authorities. In Kaduna, where Islamic law is enforced, homosexual acts can carry the death penalty, intensifying the stigma and fear among LGBTQ+ communities.

Kito attacks are characterised by their combination of physical violence, cyber extortion, and social ostracisation. Victims suffer not only physical harm but also profound social consequences, including familial rejection and job loss. Another victim, Moussa, described a similar attack in which he narrowly escaped being lynched. Both men now reside in safe houses operated by local charities that provide shelter and support to survivors.

These community organisations face growing challenges due to recent and significant cuts to foreign aid. Bethel Onyedikachi, head of one such shelter, revealed that international funding reductions have forced a halt to essential services. His organisation, which distributed HIV test kits, medications, and preventative therapies like PrEP, was abruptly shut down following a stop work order from US authorities. This disruption has left many vulnerable individuals without access to critical healthcare resources. Similarly, Yemi Ogunwa, who runs a comparable shelter in Lagos, cited recent horrific incidents including the murder of a young man following torture. Ogunwa also highlighted the ongoing social hostility, such as public celebrations with homophobic slurs at the victim’s funeral.

Nigeria’s legal framework criminalising same-sex relationships, established partly under colonial-era and Islamic laws, exacerbates the dangers faced by LGBTQ+ people. Since an anti-homosexuality law was enacted in 2014, penalties include up to 10 years in prison or, in some northern states, death. Local police often do not investigate these attacks, and victims fear reporting crimes due to potential arrest. This legal and social environment hampers efforts by aid groups to combat HIV/AIDS and support affected individuals, undermining public health initiatives.

Observers note that similar forms of state-sanctioned persecution have largely diminished in Western countries, where equality legislation has advanced human rights protections. However, the situation in Nigeria is driven by a complex mix of legal strictures, popular disapproval, and weakened international support. Critics argue that shrinking overseas aid budgets in Western nations, including recent funding cuts in the UK and the US, undermine efforts to protect vulnerable populations and can impede broader goals such as conflict prevention and refugee management.

As these attacks continue, there are calls for renewed international engagement and increased funding to support human rights and public health initiatives in Nigeria and similar contexts. Advocates contend that restoring and expanding aid could mitigate some of the harms faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, improve HIV prevention and treatment, and promote economic and social stability. The ongoing crisis underscores the challenges at the intersection of cultural attitudes, legal repression, and global aid policy in addressing the rights and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people in hostile environments.