The House of Representatives has urged relevant Federal Government agencies to enforce stringent measures against homicide and femicide in Nigeria.
This resolution followed the adoption of a motion presented during Tuesday’s plenary by Rivers lawmaker, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, along with three other legislators.
While advocating for the motion, Abiante emphasized that the right to life is a fundamental human right guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. However, he expressed concern over the increasing cases of homicide—such as murder, manslaughter, and other violent crimes—that have resulted in the loss of lives across the country. He noted that these incidents have sparked widespread public demand for justice.
He further highlighted that femicide, the intentional killing of women and girls due to their gender, has become a significant issue in recent years, with numerous reported cases.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to facilitate the establishment of special court divisions at all judicial levels to swiftly handle cases related to homicide, femicide, and other related crimes.
The House also called on law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Services (DSS), to intensify investigations, improve crime detection methods, and ensure that perpetrators of these heinous acts are swiftly brought to justice.
Additionally, lawmakers emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the dangers of gender-based violence and the legal consequences for offenders.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with rising crime rates, the House’s resolution underscores the urgency of implementing proactive legal and security measures to curb the disturbing trends of homicide and femicide.
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