THE House of Representatives has called on the relevant Federal Government agencies to implement tougher measures against homicidal and femicidal acts in Nigeria.
The House also asked law enforcement agencies to prioritize homicide investigations and ensure the thorough prosecution of offenders to serve as a deterrent.
The lawmakers also resolved to investigate the causes of recent killings of women and girls across the country.
This resolution followed a motion sponsored by Awaji-Inombek D. Abiante (PDP, Rivers), Faleke James Abiodun (APC, Lagos), Ogah Amobi Godwin (LP, Abia), and Manu Soro Mansur (PDP, Bauchi), highlighting the urgent need to curb rising incidents of homicides and femicides in Nigeria.
The House further called on religious organizations, the National Orientation Agency, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and advocacy groups to launch public awareness campaigns promoting ethical values, respect for human life, and educating young people on the dangers of ritual killings, murder, and manslaughter.
Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Abiante emphasized that the right to life is a fundamental human right enshrined in the Constitution.
However, the rising number of homicide cases, including murder and manslaughter, has sparked public outcry for justice. He noted that femicide—the intentional killing of women and girls due to their gender—has become a growing concern, with several unresolved cases in recent years.
Abiante cited numerous incidents of such killings since February 2020, many of which remain unresolved.
He expressed alarm over delays in prosecuting homicide cases, leading to prolonged pre-trial detentions, overcrowded correctional facilities, and the loss of crucial evidence, further eroding public confidence in the judicial system.
He also criticized the slow pace of justice, which allows some perpetrators to gain media attention while serious trials drag on for years.
He referenced the case of Chidinma Ojukwu, who remains on trial for the murder of Usifo Ataga, and the notorious kidnapper Evans, facing murder charges yet controversially awarded a scholarship for further studies.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council (NJC) is responsible for overseeing the Judiciary and improving the efficiency of the judicial process.
He argued that establishing Special Divisions within existing courts with exclusive jurisdiction over homicide and related cases will expedite justice, reduce backlogs, and restore public confidence in the legal system.
He said ethical enlightenment through public awareness campaigns focusing on instilling ethical values and respect for human life and the integration of emotional intelligence programs to help young people develop non-violent problem-solving skills, could help curb this menace.
Contributing to the motion, Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo) said there was a need to take action on this rising trend, adding that failure to do so might leave the country in a state of anarchy leading to the same situation the country currently is in terms of insecurity.
He said issues of banditry and kidnapping started on a light note in the country without nothing concrete done to stop it until to for out of hand.
He said girls and women are murdered across the country today without anybody being brought to trial, expressing disgust that Nigerians even record scenes of such crimes without doing anything to stop the crime.
He said all hands must be on deck to stop the spread of the crime.
Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau) expressed disgust that rather than concentrate on preaching morality, religious leaders in the country have resorted to rivalry and things that have no bearing on the moral life of the people.
Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun) said there is the need to deepen security awareness education, through the introduction of security education into the nation’s educational curriculum and enforcement of existing rules.
He said Nigeria is the only country where people are, lodged in hotels without adequate security information.