The AIG FCID Annex Lagos held its inaugural AIG’s Lecture today, focusing on gender-related killings of women and girls, also known as femicide. The event, presided over by Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Ogundele Ayodeji, was attended by officers and personnel from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and featured a presentation by the Force Pathologist, ACP (Dr.) Samuel Keshinro.
Dr. Keshinro’s presentation, titled “Measuring Gender-Related Killing of Women and Girls (Femicides) in Lagos State: Recommendations for Data Systems Improvements, Advocacy, and Action,” stressed the importance of comprehensive data collection to accurately assess the extent of femicide. He referenced the International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes (ICCS), developed by the United Nations, as a model to enhance the consistency and comparability of crime statistics worldwide.
Drawing attention to alarming statistics, Dr. Keshinro cited the UN’s Spotlight Initiative, which reports that one in three women experience sexual, physical, or psychological abuse, with many incidents rooted in harmful social norms. He noted that gender-based violence, especially intimate partner violence, significantly impacts women, with the most severe consequence being femicide. According to the UN, femicide is defined as the intentional killing of a woman or girl motivated by gender.
The lecture was intended as both an awareness-raising and training session, aiming to bridge statistical gaps and establish a framework within the Nigeria Police Force to better track and respond to femicides. This data-driven approach, Dr. Keshinro explained, will strengthen policymaking efforts against gender-based violence and provide a foundation for international comparison.
AIG Ayodeji praised Dr. Keshinro’s insights, urging detectives at the FCID Annex Lagos to apply the knowledge in their investigative work, underscoring the role of intelligence-led policing in tackling gender-related violence.
The event marks a step toward more informed and systematic efforts in addressing femicide in Lagos and supports Nigeria’s commitment to aligning with global standards for crime data reporting and prevention.