Kito in Nigeria: Understanding the Violence, Its Impact, and What Must Change

– Olubiyi Oludipe, Executive Director, ISHRAI

In recent years, a dangerous and deeply troubling pattern of violence has continued to affect LGBTQI+ individuals in Nigeria, commonly referred to as “kito.” While the term may sound unfamiliar to many outside certain communities, its consequences are devastating, often involving extortion, physical assault, public humiliation, and, in extreme cases, death.

Kito is not just a crime. It is a reflection of a broader system of stigma, criminalization, and silence that leaves victims with little to no protection.

Kito refers to a form of targeted violence where individuals, often queer men, are lured through dating platforms or social spaces by people posing as romantic or sexual partners. Once a meeting is arranged, the victim is ambushed, threatened, and forced to hand over money or valuables. In many cases, victims are physically assaulted, recorded, and blackmailed with threats of being “outed” to family, employers, or the public.

At the heart of kito is a climate of fear created by both law and society. Nigeria’s criminalization of same-sex relationships means that many victims are unable to report these crimes without risking arrest or exposure. This silence becomes a tool for perpetrators, who rely on the fact that their victims are unlikely to seek help. Social stigma further deepens the problem. LGBTQI+ individuals are often viewed with suspicion or hostility, making it easier for violence against them to be ignored or even justified. In this environment, kito becomes more than a crime, it becomes a pattern.

The effects are far-reaching. Beyond the immediate physical harm, victims are left with lasting psychological trauma, living in constant fear of being targeted again. Many lose access to housing, employment, or family support after being outed. Entire communities become more withdrawn, less trusting, and increasingly isolated. Even access to healthcare has become more difficult, as stigma and shrinking support systems leave many with limited, often judgmental options for care.

Addressing kito requires more than awareness, it demands structural change. People need to be able to report violence without fear, and that begins with creating safer legal and social environments. At the same time, community support systems such as safe shelters, legal aid, and mental health services must be strengthened to protect those at risk. Education around digital safety is also critical, helping individuals navigate online spaces with greater caution. Ultimately, tackling kito means confronting the deeper issues of stigma, discrimination, and silence that allow it to persist.

No one should have to choose between seeking connection and staying safe. Until that reality changes, kito will remain a painful reminder of the risks many people face simply for being who they are.

Ending kito will not happen overnight, this is a call for collaboration: for community-based groups, health providers, legal advocates, and human rights organizations to build stronger networks of protection and response. By working together, it becomes possible to create safer systems for reporting, expand access to emergency support, and push for accountability in ways that individual efforts cannot achieve.