Lagos Nigeria, Amnesty International has raised serious concerns about the Nigerian government’s handling of femicide cases.
Femicide is defined as the killing of a woman or girl, particularly by a man, driven by gender-based violence often rooted in misogynistic beliefs and attitudes.
On Thursday, the global human rights organization took to its X page to express its discontent with the Nigerian government’s response to the murder of Christianah Idowu, a 300-level student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State. Link to Amnesty International’s X post
Earlier, The New Daily Prime reported that Ayomide Adeleye, a 200-level Philosophy student at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ogun State, confessed to killing Idowu. Adeleye, who is currently in Lagos Police custody, admitted to the murder after Idowu rejected his sexual advances.
Amnesty International has also called on security agencies to establish specialized units and develop expertise for investigating femicide cases.
The organization’s statement read in part: “The brutal killing of Christianah Idowu, a 300-level student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), by her friend highlights the urgent need for Nigerian authorities to effectively address femicide. The slow pace of investigation and prosecution in recent femicide cases across Nigeria is deeply troubling.
“In nearly all recent cases of femicide in #Nigeria, authorities fail to pursue all investigative leads rigorously, further jeopardizing women’s rights to life and physical safety. Femicide can and must be prevented. Each investigation’s shortcomings must be thoroughly reviewed. Above all, there is an unacceptable and consistent failure to apply a gender perspective to these killings at all stages.”
In response to the murder, Nigerians—especially women and celebrities—have taken to social media to express their outrage. The hashtag #JusticeForChristianah is trending at number one on X. Award-winning singer Simi wrote, “Please stop letting your wicked, abusive friends feel comfortable around you—because now you’re a problem too. #JusticeForChristianah #JusticeForWomenEverywhere.” Nollywood actress Mercy Eke posted, “Women are constantly killed for nothing, and justice is mostly never served. #JusticeForChristianah 💔” Similarly, Dr. Chinonso Egemba added, “We do not want a ‘bro code’ that prevents you from speaking up when injustice, assault, bullying, and rape are being perpetrated by your fellow ‘bro.’ We want a ‘bro code’ that holds us accountable. Speak up! #JusticeForChristianah”
