The murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, who was killed by Andrew Ominikoron, a driver of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), is yet to fade away in the heart of many Nigerians, especially her family members.

Though justice had been served with the sentencing of Ominikoron to death by hanging for the murder of Ayanwola, she would have been 26 years on Nov. 30, 2025, if she had been alive.

The death of popular Nigerian Gospel Singer, Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu, known for her angelic voice, was as a result of prolonged domestic abuse by her husband .

These two incidents garnered conversation and sparked a national outcry about domestic and gender-based violence in Nigeria.

Their deaths and those of many other girls and women, which are gender related, are reminder of the increasing cases of femicide in the country.

There has been growing concern globally on femicide which is the intentional murder that exclusively targets women or girls because of their gender.

A report by UN Women, a body under the United Nations that advocates for women’s rights and gender equality, indicated that approximately 85,000 women and girls were intentionally killed worldwidein 2023.

In 2024, an estimated data from UN Women also showed that no fewer than 50,000 cases of femicide occurred globally, with Africa recording almost half of the global cases of victims put at 22,600.

Also, when adjusted for population size, Africa also had the highest regional rate, at three victims per 100,000 women and girls.

This worrisome trend over the years points to the lack of political will to address and prevent these intentional killings.

In 2024, 133 Nigerian women and girls were victims of suspected gender-related violence that resulted in deaths, according to reports from the DOHS Cares Foundation Femicide Observatory.

A more recent estimate from the same group reports that 88 femicide cases were recorded between January and June 2025, representing a woman being killed by an intimate partner, relative, or acquaintance every 49 hours.

At a programme organised by DOHS Foundation, Mrs Ololade Ajayi, its Founder, said cases of femicide in the country was becoming alarming, noting that the organisation tracked 175 cases in the first 10 months of 2025.

Ajayi highlighted the need for a legislative action, adding that other countries were already putting up legislative measures to tackle the menace.

The programme tagged “Run For her; a Global Race against Femicide”, brought survivors, families of victims and human rights activists together to renew the call for more advocacy, awareness, justice and support for families of femicide victims in Nigeria.

According to her, governments around the world are already taking cognisance of femicide as a global phenomenon, emphasising that Nigeria should not be left behind.

“With the trend of things, we are scared that the increased pattern in femicide cases will get worse if nothing is done about it.

“This is because a girl or woman is killed every 49 hours in Nigeria in the act of femicide.

“The Governments of South Africa and Italy recently took a stand on this and we want the Nigeria Government to do the same to prevent these senseless killings,” she said.

She added that femicide cases in court should be fast tracked to ensure that perpetrators got swift judgement while also ensuring that families of victims don’t get traumatised due to prolonged court cases.

The founder called for safe spaces for girls and women in the society to thrive and excel, adding that traditional and religious norms should not be used as a tool to endanger their lives.

She also called for justice in the case of Ochaya Ogbanje, a 13-year-old Nigerian girl, who allegedly died in October 2018 due to complications from prolonged sexual abuse.

Ajayi said that a signed petition would be submitted to the Inspector General of Police and the National Assembly to seek justice for her family.

Damilola Ayanwola, the sister of late Bamise who was killed by the BRT driver, called for support for families of femicide victims.

Ayanwola narrated that life had not been the same for her aged parents since the demise of her sister who was partly responsible for their upkeep.

“Its been four years we lost my late sister.

“She would have been 26-years-old on Nov. 30 but her memory will forever remain with us, especially my aged parents.

“We are grateful to the Lagos State government that justice has been served but I want to appeal to the Lagos State Government to support my parents.

“I lost my source of livelihood due to the death of my sister.

“My late sister was partly responsible for their upkeep when she was alive.

” I will appreciate whatever assistance they can provide for us pending when I bounce back,” she said.

She commended the Lagos State Government for ensuring that she got swift justice.

Ayanwola appealed to government at all levels to put measures in place to tackle femicide in the country.

As more Nigerians continue to lend their voice against domestic and gender based violence, advocacy and awareness must be back with policies and severe punishments for individuals who indulge in the evil out.