Stakeholders have raised alarm over the growing cases of femicide in Lagos State, warning that the trend poses a grave threat to families, communities, and society if not urgently addressed. They identified domestic violence as a leading driver of the problem.
Femicide, defined as the intentional killing of women or girls because of their gender—often by intimate partners or relatives—has continued to rise in Nigeria despite years of advocacy and awareness campaigns.
Recent incidents highlight the disturbing pattern. On September 3, Lagos police arrested a man who disguised himself as a dispatch rider to enter the home of his estranged girlfriend in Oko-Oba, where he allegedly stabbed her to death after she ended their abusive relationship. In July, another suspect was caught fleeing a hotel in Ayobo after allegedly murdering his girlfriend for ritual purposes. Earlier cases include a husband who fatally stabbed his wife during an argument in Badagry in March and a 23-year-old man who beat his girlfriend to death in Ijeododo, Alimosho, in February.
According to DOHS Cares Foundation, a Lagos-based NGO, more than 140 verified femicide cases were recorded nationwide in the first nine months of the year. Its founder, Mrs. Ololade Ajayi, blamed entrenched patriarchal norms and gender stereotypes, urging lawmakers to enact legislation specifically criminalizing femicide and attempted femicide. She stressed that current laws treat such cases under general murder charges, which fail to capture their gender-based nature.
Security expert Christopher Oji linked the problem to jealousy, infidelity, economic hardship, substance abuse, mental health issues, and unresolved childhood trauma. He encouraged couples to consider separation or divorce rather than resorting to violence and called on families, communities, and religious institutions to promote healthy relationships.
Legal practitioner Mrs. Kemi Ojo advised those in abusive relationships to prioritize safety and seek help immediately. She emphasized the need for counseling, conflict resolution, and public awareness campaigns, noting that education on domestic violence and its legal consequences is vital to preventing further cases of femicide.