Nigeria: FAME Foundation raises alarm over ‘growing femicide’, demands action

A non-governmental organisation, FAME Foundation, has sounded the alarm on the escalating cases of femicide in Nigeria, calling for swift and collective action.

Speaking during a press conference in Abuja, Executive Director of the Foundation, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi said, “Femicide has become a pandemic, and it’s imperative we declare a state of emergency.”

Aderonke noted that young women and girls are disproportionately targeted, with devastating consequences.

A disturbing trend amidst occurrences/statistics 

Globally, femicide violates human rights, with the UN reporting over 89,000 women and girls killed in 2022 and 2023.

In Nigeria, 401 women died from sexual and gender-based violence in 2022 alone.

Aderonke highlighted recent disturbing cases, regarding Paul Jeremiah’s kidnapping and murder of 19-year-old Damilola, Ayomide Adeleye’s confession to killing Christianah Idowu, and Justina Nkang’s gruesome murder by her boyfriend.

Fresh in mind

Recalling some of the recent cases in details, she said, “Paul Jeremiah, a 20-year-old undergraduate, was arrested by the Kogi State Police Command for kidnapping and murdering Damilola, a 19-year-old first-year student at the Federal University of Lafia. After demanding a ransom of N10 million, Jeremiah and his accomplices accepted N400,000 but decided to kill and mutilate her when dissatisfied with the sum.

“Ayomide Adeleye, a 200-level Philosophy student, confessed to the murder of Christianah Idowu, a 300-level student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). Christianah had been missing for two weeks, and her body was only discovered after Adeleye confessed to the 174 Battalion of the Nigerian Army.

 “Justina Nkang was murdered and dismembered by her boyfriend, Damian Okoligwe, a 400-level student of Petrochemical Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt, the deceased was a 300-level undergraduate student. No justice till date.

“Celine Ndudim and Afiba Tandoh vanished after visiting one Andrew Amaechi, they are missing till date. Later on, people discovered the decomposed body of a young woman without a head, hands, or legs suspected to belong to one of the deceased. Till date, the girls are yet to be found and the suspect was reported as ‘shot dead’. The girls were last seen at Amaechi’s residence in Abia State.

 “A man’s alleged plot to use a woman for rituals was disrupted after her cries alerted staff in a hotel in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja. A video seen on social media had the girls hands and legs tied by the Perpertrator.

“Additionally, Celine Ndudim and Afib Tandoh remain missing after visiting Andrew Amaechi,” she said.

Aderonke stressed that these cases demonstrate a growing pattern of gender-based violence.

Effort geared towards addressing femicide 

To combat femicide, Atoyebi emphasised the need to strengthen laws addressing sexual violence, break the silence surrounding femicide through public education, and engage men in conversations about equality.

The FAME Foundation is actively raising awareness about femicide, advocating for stronger protections, supporting victims through outreach, and conducting research on femicide.

Aderonke said, “Every woman and girl deserve to live free from violence and fear. Together, we can end femicide in Nigeria.

“The situation is critical, with Nigeria recording 27,698 sexual and gender-based violence cases in the last three years.”

The FAME Foundation founder then urged the government, civil society organisations, parents, religious bodies, traditional and community leaders, and all citizens to unite against femicide.

She said, “Media organisations must raise awareness and challenge harmful social norms. Men should become allies in promoting gender equality and preventing gender-based violence.”

From FAME point of view/advocacy

On recognisable efforts by the Foundation, Aderonke said, “FAME Foundation works closely with law enforcement, government agencies, and civil society organisations to ensure thorough investigations and support victims. The time to act is now.

“The FAME Foundation’s advocacy sensitisation outreach program engages communities, IDP camps, and schools nationwide, promoting gender equality and non-violence.

“Through community outreach and education, FAME Foundation empowers both men and women to challenge harmful gender stereotypes and promote respectful relationships.

“By addressing the root causes of femicide, the FAME Foundation aims to create a safer Nigeria for all women and girls.

“Ultimately, ending femicide requires collective action and commitment from all segments of Nigerian society.”

What to know about Femicide

By way of definition, femicide is the murder of women as a result of intimate partner violence, torture and misogynist slaying of women.

Research reveals that femicide occurs because the continuum of violence against women continues to be accepted, tolerated and justified. Like all violence against women, the many causes of femicide are rooted in gender inequality, gender expectations, and systemic gender-based discrimination.

In Nigeria, femicide is often concealed due to societal stigma, fear of retaliation, or shame experienced by the victims’ families. Many cases go unreported, leaving families devastated and perpetuating a culture of silence.