The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has called for stronger and more reliable data systems to combat the rising cases of femicide across Nigeria.
Jimoh, who spoke on Thursday at the presentation of a study titled “Measuring Femicide in Lagos State: Data, Advocacy and Action” in Ikeja, described femicide—the intentional killing of women and girls because of their gender—as one of the most extreme forms of gender-based violence (GBV).
The police chief lamented that Nigeria’s fight against femicide was being undermined by poor record-keeping, weak forensic investigations, and low prosecution rates.
“These gaps have hindered efforts to fully eradicate violence against women, despite Lagos recording comparatively lower femicide rates in this study,” Jimoh said.
According to the commissioner, the Lagos Police Command has now established a specialised unit under its Gender Department to focus on femicide and domestic violence cases. Initially donor-funded, the unit is currently supported by the Lagos State Government.
He noted that officers in the unit had been trained to identify early warning signs of domestic violence and respond with empathy, confidentiality, and professionalism.
“Gone are the days when victims were subjected to humiliating questions. Our officers have been trained to respond with empathy, confidentiality, and efficiency,” Jimoh assured.
Presenting data from the four-year study (2020–2024), the Nigeria Police Force Pathologist, Dr. Samuel Keshiro, revealed that:
1,666 unnatural deaths were recorded in Lagos within the period.
Of these, 1,316 (79%) were men while 350 (21%) were women.
About 230 deaths (66%) were homicides.
Among female homicides, 200 were classified as intentional, with 70 (35%) identified as femicides.
Nearly half (47%) of the femicides were committed by intimate partners.
Most victims were aged between 15 and 44, the most productive stage of life.
Keshiro stressed that reliable data was vital to understanding the drivers of femicide and developing effective interventions.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, urged law enforcement officers, lawyers, and judges to adopt a human-centred approach in handling femicide cases.
He stressed the importance of evidence-based data in shaping judicial responses and ensuring justice for victims.
“Reliable data helps us understand the causes of femicide and ensures that judicial processes are both fair and firm,” Alogba said, pledging the judiciary’s partnership with researchers and civil society groups.
Jimoh reiterated that tackling femicide required coordinated efforts from security agencies, civil society organisations, policymakers, and communities.
“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.
The event drew participants from the judiciary, civil society organisations, and state officials, underlining a growing consensus on the need for urgent action to reduce femicide in Lagos and across Nigeria.
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