Advogacy Nigeria, a digital platform for African LGBTI+ culture and safety resources as kicked off a campaign titled, #Justice4Hassan for #IDAHOBIT2020, The social justice campaign is a call to action for activists and organizations around the world to find justice for Hassan Gambo, a student who was murdered by his classmates in Jigawa State.
Advogacy Nigeria spoke with Bala Mohammed Salisu, who is one of the activists currently working to bring Hassan’s killers to justice.
Who is Hassan Gambo?
Hassan was 17 at the time to his death. He was studying at Govt Science and Technical College Karkarna, Yankwashi LG, Jigawa State. His classmates describe him as an easy-going person, he was also very brilliant and loved to play football. Originally from Kano state, his parents sent him to Jigawa to further his education in hopes that he could find a good job and support his family in the nearest future.
How did he die?
A group of 15 students started hunting down other students suspected of being gay in school and Hassan was one of those students. One day, while Hassan was asleep at 1 am he got dragged into the woods, where he was beaten and tortured. Hassan died as a result and his body was later discovered by school staff.
Accounts from other victims:
“They hit me with sticks and a pipe, I kept begging them to stop but instead they increased the beating. I tried to run away but they chased me till they caught me again and tied my hands and legs to make sure I didn’t run away again. This time the beating was worse because I couldn’t block or protect myself, eventually they stopped and left me alone, but I had wounds from head to toe”.
– Buhari Miko (17)
“While they were beating me, I told them I was going to report them to the school authorities, and they all laughed at me and told me that the school is fully aware of their anti-gay disciplinary committee. I fell sick after the beating and 4 days later, I heard Hassan was killed, I knew it was them immediately”
– Ibrahim Aliyu (15)
Has justice been served?
“Hassan’s killers have been out on bail since the 30th of August 2017. The case against them is being held at the Magistrate court in Jigawa State and the lawyer representing the 15 students is making a case that the perpetrators only wanted to confront Hassan a little for being gay, but things went out of hand. If the judge rules in his favour, Hassan’s killers, could go free or receive reduced sentences”.
– Bala Mohammed Salisu
Bala is an activist and the executive director for Hope Alive Health Awareness Initiative (HAHAI). He is passionate about seeking justice for all Nigerians, regardless of their status, identity, orientation and affiliation.
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