The Nigeria Police Force has revealed that at least 1,666 Lagos residents lost their lives to unnatural causes including homicide, suicide, and other violent incidents between January 2020 and December 2024.
This disclosure was made by the Force Pathologist, ACP Samuel Keshinro, during the public presentation of a report on femicide cases in Lagos State. The event, held in Ikeja on Thursday, was themed: “Measuring Femicide in Lagos State: Data, Advocacy and Action.”
According to Keshinro, the report compiled cases of homicide, suicide, misadventures, and other unnatural deaths, with the goal of driving awareness and advocacy around femicide. Data from the findings showed that of the 1,666 recorded deaths, 350 were women, 1,306 were men, while the gender of 10 victims could not be determined.
Out of the female fatalities, 230 were linked to homicide, while 11 were classified as suicides. The data also indicated that intimate partners were responsible for a significant number of femicide cases.
Highlighting the findings, Keshinro said: “We discovered that about 70 of the 350 female deaths were femicides. The majority were intimate partner femicides, showing how vulnerable women are, especially in relationships where they should feel safe. This is timely as November 25 marks the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.”
He recommended the adoption of electronic data systems to improve crime investigation and case documentation.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olorundare Jimoh, described the rate of femicide in Lagos as relatively low compared to the state’s population. He attributed this to proactive policing and collaboration with stakeholders. Jimoh assured that the command would adopt recommendations from the report to strengthen its strategies against gender-based violence.
“Femicide is not an issue to be taken lightly. We have reoriented our officers and adjusted operational procedures to prevent cases before they occur, as many of them escalate from domestic violence,” the commissioner said. He urged women and girls to promptly report violations, assuring that the police would handle cases with professionalism and sensitivity.
Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, also commended the initiative, noting that the data would be valuable in strengthening the judiciary’s role in delivering justice. “Every case before the court is more than a file it is someone’s life or livelihood. The judiciary will work with the police to ensure that this data is properly used and improved upon,” he said.
The report is expected to guide future policy, law enforcement practices, and advocacy campaigns aimed at reducing violence, particularly against women, in Lagos.
