Why I was deported from Dubai — Bobrisky spills

Nigeria’s well-known crossdresser, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, popularly known as Bobrisky, has disclosed that he was deported from Dubai due to the unmatching appearance on his passport.

Bobrisky revealed this during an interview on Toke Makinwa’s podcast, where he shared details of his experience.

Bobrisky explained that upon his arrival at the immigration checkpoint in Dubai, he was wearing a significant amount of makeup, which led to officers questioning his identity.

He further stated that due to the Islamic laws in the country that prohibit cross-dressing, he was sent back to Nigeria.

Despite having traveled to the United Arab Emirates on several occasions in the past, Bobrisky was deported on that particular day, which happened to be a Jum’ah day, a significant day of worship in Islam.

“The last time I went to Dubai, I was sent back to Nigeria. I have been to there so many times. But that one was their prayer, I think one of their special days. It happened to be on Friday, they go to the mosque. They are holy so extra on that day. When I got there, the camera did not accept my face. You know me na, I was on makeup, I want to brag first class, I want to talk ‘oh! guys, I’ve been to Dubai. Your mummy is in first class’.

“So, I got to the Immigration where you are going to do everything. They saw my passport, they looked at my face. They said ‘face camera’. And I faced the camera. It rejected my face several times. They [Immigrantion officers] said ‘are you sure you’re the same person?’ And I said ‘yes’.

The man looked at me, he said ‘Idris, you are a Muslim?’. I said ‘yes’. He looked at my passport. He was confused.

“So, we went to one of their private offices. And they said ‘are you trans or..’ I said ‘ well, I used to be a guy’. And they said ‘oh! on a normal day if it is not Friday’ they would have just allowed me in. But because it was Friday, jumʿah day, they said ‘no, they can’t allow me in.”

Bobrisky, who is known for his controversial and flamboyant lifestyle, has often faced criticism and backlash in Nigeria for his gender identity and expression.

However, he remains unapologetic and continues to share his experiences and perspectives on social media.