Dare Babalola
The Nigeria Police Force is seeking reliable data to combat the rising cases of femicide across the country.
Femicide, described as the intentional killing of women and girls, is a growing concern in Nigeria, with various organizations working to document and address the issue.
During the presentation of a new study titled “Measuring Femicide in Lagos State: Data, Advocacy and Action” in Lagos on Thursday, the state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, described femicide as a growing concern in Nigeria, urging urgent collective action from security agencies, civil society, and policymakers.
The police boss maintained that having accurate records is one of the major steps to take in combating gender-based violence (GBV).
He noted that the police play a critical role in upholding the criminal justice system for protecting women and girls.
“These gaps have hindered efforts to fully eradicate violence against women, despite Lagos recording comparatively lower femicide rates in this study,” Jimoh noted.
He highlighted that deficiencies in forensic investigations, autopsies, prosecution rates, and record management in homicide cases involving women and girls remained key obstacles to justice.
To combat this, the commissioner called for improved data collection, legislative reform, and active community engagement as essential components of a comprehensive strategy to tackle femicide and gender-based violence in Lagos and across Nigeria.
Jimoh further announced the establishment of a specialised unit within the command’s Gender Department to handle femicide and domestic violence cases.
He emphasised that officers had been trained to identify early warning signs of domestic violence and to respond to victims with empathy, confidentiality, and professionalism while also encouraging women to speak out.
He stated, “These gaps have hindered efforts to fully eradicate violence against women, despite Lagos recording comparatively lower femicide rates in this study.’’
According to him, some of the challenges the police face have hindered efforts to fully eradicate violence against women.
The commissioner called for improved data collection, legislative reform, and active community engagement as part of a comprehensive approach to tackling femicide and gender-based violence in Lagos and across Nigeria.
He added, “Gone are the days when victims were subjected to humiliating questions. Our officers have been trained to respond with empathy, confidentiality, and efficiency.’’
He reiterated the police command’s commitment to tackling femicide as part of its broader crime prevention strategy.
“It is vital that we work together to change harmful narratives, enforce relevant laws, and safeguard lives.
“Only by building a united response can we promote a safer and more equitable society,” he added.
Furthermore, Jimoh stated that prompt detection, investigation, and prosecution of offenders served not only as justice for victims but also as a deterrent to future crimes.
