The House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, has strongly advocated for the implementation of stricter measures by relevant federal agencies to tackle the alarming increase in cases of homicide and femicide across Nigeria.
During the plenary session held on Tuesday, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a lawmaker representing Andoni/Opobo–Nkoro federal constituency in Rivers State, along with three of his colleagues, brought forward a motion that highlighted the disturbing rise in violent crimes, particularly those targeting women and girls in various parts of the country.
Abiante emphasized that the right to life is a fundamental human right enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. However, he pointed out that recent incidents indicate an unsettling increase in cases of murder, manslaughter, and other violent crimes, which have put the lives of many innocent citizens at risk.
He further elaborated on the issue of femicide, describing it as the deliberate killing of women and girls due to their gender. According to him, there has been an unsettling number of reported cases of femicide in recent years, raising serious concerns about the safety of women in Nigeria.
“Femicide has evolved into a serious societal issue, and if immediate steps are not taken to curb this menace, more lives will be lost. Women and girls should not live in fear of being targeted simply because of their gender,” Abiante stated.
In response to the motion’s adoption, reports indicate that the House of Representatives has urged the National Judicial Council to establish special divisions within the existing judicial system at all levels to expedite the trial of homicide and femicide cases.
Abiante reiterated the need for swift justice, stating, “Justice delayed is justice denied. Our judicial system must act decisively to ensure that perpetrators of these horrific crimes face the full weight of the law without unnecessary delays.”
The resolution passed by the House calls for an immediate and coordinated intervention to safeguard lives, protect vulnerable citizens, and uphold the principles of justice and human rights. Lawmakers have pledged to push for stronger legal frameworks and more stringent penalties to ensure that every Nigerian, especially women and girls, can live without fear of violence and discrimination.