Nigeria: LGBTIQ+ Community Shaken by Murder of Trans Social Media Figure

Nigeria’s LGBTIQ+ community is mourning the brutal murder of Chantelle, popularly known as Abuja Area Mama, a well-known transgender TikToker.

Local media reported that the body of the 33-year-old woman was discovered on Thursday morning along the Katampe-Mabushi highway in Abuja, the capital city.

Based on the condition of Abuja Area Mama’s bruised body, it is suspected that she was beaten to death.

Disturbingly, degrading images of the woman’s lifeless naked body were widely shared on social media, further stripping her of her dignity, even in death.

Abuja Area Mama described herself as “the number one Abuja crossdresser and queen of the street.” She had previously revealed that she had faced violent attacks and had been stabbed by a man.

In a video posted on Instagram the day before her body was found, she mentioned that she was “getting ready to go and see my boyfriend.”

Police confirmed that they have initiated an investigation into the murder.

News of Abuja Area Mama’s death prompted an outpouring of grief on social media, with many lamenting the challenges faced by LGBTIQ+ Africans, who often endure hate, exclusion, and discrimination.

In a statement, Nigerian human rights group, The Initiative For Equal Rights (TIERS), said it was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Chantelle, beloved by many as the Area Mama of Abuja.” The organisation expressed its condolences to her family, friends, and the entire community.

“Chantelle’s life was a testament to the strength and resilience of marginalised communities. Her loss is a stark reminder of the ongoing threats to the human rights and safety of these vulnerable groups in Nigeria,” continued TIERS.

Ugandan activist Steven Kabuye, who was himself stabbed by an unknown assailant in January, tweeted: “In Africa, being queer is a death sentence. Visibility without protection is suicide. Area Mama was a victim of this reality, enduring countless death threats ignored for too long. Today, we mourn their loss to hate.”

Nigeria enforces some of the world’s most severe anti-LGBTIQ+ laws. These laws, rooted in colonial-era legislation, stipulate a 14-year prison sentence for anyone found guilty of engaging in homosexual acts.

Additionally, the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, passed into law in 2014, further criminalises same-sex marriages and relationships, carrying potential penalties of up to 14 years in prison. The law mandates a 10-year jail term for public displays of same-sex affection and for individuals involved with or supporting LGBTIQ+ groups.