The representatives say women have become endangered species and have moved to stop femicidal and homicidal acts in Nigeria
The House of Representatives has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to establish special courts to exclusively handle homicide and femicide cases across Nigeria.
According to data by UN Women and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2023, 140 women and girls died daily in alleged femicide translating to one woman being murdered every ten minutes.
Law enforcement agencies were also called upon to prioritize homicide investigations and ensure thorough prosecution of offenders.
The House recommended collaboration between religious organizations, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ministry of Women Affairs and advocacy groups to launch public awareness campaigns emphasizing ethical values, respect for human life, and non-violent conflict resolution.
Lawmakers also advocated for the integration of emotional intelligence programmes to educate young people on the dangers of ritual killings and other violent crimes while promoting peaceful problem-solving skills.
These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Awaji-Inombek D. Abiante ( PDP Rivers), Rep. Faleke James Abiodun (APC Lagos), Rep. Ogah Amobi Godwin (LP Abia) and Rep. Manu Soro Mansur (PDP Bauchi).
Abiante, who moved the motion on behalf of others, noted that the right to life is a fundamental human right guaranteed by the constitution.
He said: “Homicide cases including murder, manslaughter, and other violent crimes leading to the termination of life have been on the rise across the country, provoking public demand for justice.
“Femicide, the intentional killing of women and girls due to their gender, has become a significant concern, with several reported cases in recent years,” Rep. Abiante explained
He painted a harrowing picture of 18 tragic incidents of homicide and femicide that have shaken the nations, including:
“On February 2020: Patience Adibe was killed by her boyfriend in Benin after a brief argument, on May 2020; Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, a 100 Level Microbiology Student of the University of Benin, was raped and murdered in a church, Collins Ujegbulem, one of the suspects, claimed that a woman paid them to kill her for ritual purposes; on June 2020: Barakat Bello, an 18 years old Student in Ibadan, was raped and stabbed to death;, on September 2020: 11 years old Favour Okechukwu was gang-raped and killed by four men in Lagos; on April 2021: Iniobong Umoren, a fresh graduate, was raped and murdered by a man posing as a job interviewer in Uyo; on December 2021: Hanifa Abubakar, a 5 years old girl, was kidnapped, poisoned, and murdered by her school proprietor in Kano; on February 2022: Fashion designer Bamise Ayanwole was murdered after boarding a BRT Bus in Lagos; on April 2022: Ifeanyi Njoku killed his girlfriend for money rituals; on July 2022: Eunice Chioma Igweike was abducted, killed, and butchered by human parts dealers; on July 2023: Benjamin Best murdered his girlfriend, Augusta Osedion, a 300 Level Student at the University of Port Harcourt.
“Also on August 2023: Oghenefejiro Regha was killed by her boyfriend for ritual purposes; on October 2023: Okoligwe Damian Chinemere killed Justina Otuene Nkang, a fellow student at the University of Port Harcourt; on May 2024: Elisha was arrested for killing his lover, Edima, in a ritual murder; on June 2024: Glory Adekolure was raped and killed in Benin; on August 2024: Fatai Mogaji stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death, while Mojisola Awesu was murdered in a hotel; on September 2024: Jeremiah Samson killed Abigail Damilola, a University Student, and buried her body; on January 2025: the recent killing of Salome Adaidu, a National Youth Corps Member, in Nasarawa State is a continuation of the trend; and alarmed by the killing of Chioma Nwana, who was set ablaze by her husband in Anambra after a heated argument.”
The House lamented delays in prosecuting homicide cases, which have resulted in prolonged pre-trial detentions, overcrowded correctional facilities, and the loss of crucial evidence. These inefficiencies have eroded public trust in the judicial system.
Abiante noted that the slow and ineffective justice system allows perpetrators to gain media attention while trials for serious crimes like homicide are prolonged.
He cited an example with the case of Chidinma Ojukwu who is under trial for the murder of Usifo Ataga. Adding that the notorious kidnapper Evans, facing trial for murder, has been awarded a scholarship.
Rep. Billy Osawaru (APC Edo) in his contribution noted the severity of the issue and said “Women have become endangered species. This is a collective responsibility of all Nigerian men, Nigerian fathers to protect our women,” he added
Rep. Yusuf Gagdi criticized religious leaders for neglecting their role in promoting morality, focusing instead on denominational propaganda.
Speaking about the most recent case of femicide, Lawal Hafsoh Yetunde from Kwara state was killed by her boyfriend. The suspected killer, after the gruesome killing, dismembered her body for alleged ritual purposes. Rep. Tolani Shagaya (APC Kwara), expressed that this behavior is inhumane and called on the House to pass strict legislations.
Further contributing, Rep. Bamidele Salam (PDP OSun), noted that there is a need for Nigeria to deepen security awareness. He said other countries right from the primary education teaches on how to identify red flags in relationships.
Salam also stressed the need for proper identification he said “ It is only in Nigeria that there is no proper profiling of guest when they are checked into hotels”.
Adopting the motion the Speaker of the House has referred the motion to the House committee on Judiciary, Human rights and Women Affairs.
