Amnesty International Seeks Probe of Rivers Homophobic Attack, Kito Killing

ByEditor

Oct 27, 2025 #Amnesty International Nigeria, #Hilary killing, #homophobic attack, #justice for Hilary, #Kito, #LGBTQ rights, #Nigeria human rights, #police investigation, #Port Harcourt, #Rivers State

Matilda Omonaiye/

Amnesty International Nigeria has called on authorities to launch a transparent investigation into the killing of a young man identified as Hilary, who was reportedly pushed from a two-storey building in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in what is suspected to be a homophobic attack.

In a statement on X, the human rights organisation described Hilary’s death as another tragic case linked to Kito — a criminal scheme in which victims, often targeted for their real or perceived sexuality, are lured through dating apps or social media, then robbed, assaulted, blackmailed, or threatened with being outed.

“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and transparently investigate the killing of Hilary, who was pushed from a two-storey building in a suspected homophobic attack in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Hilary is yet another victim of rampant Kito,” Amnesty International wrote.

The group demanded justice for Hilary and urged the government to protect vulnerable citizens from attacks driven by hate and discrimination.

Hilary’s killing has sparked outrage across social media, with many users calling for stronger law enforcement action against those who perpetrate violence against LGBTQ+ persons and others targeted through online traps.

Human rights activists have long warned that Kito cases are on the rise in parts of Nigeria, with victims often suffering in silence due to fear of stigma and further persecution.

The Rivers State Police Command has yet to release an official statement on the incident as of the time of this report.