Ogun records 502 gender-based violence cases in 2025, says commissioner

The wife of the Ogun State governor, Bamidele Abiodun, the Deputy Governor, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Adijat Adeleye during the walk held to mark the end of 16 days of activism against gender based violence for the year 2025... Credit: Taiwo Bankole

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The Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, on Tuesday said that the state recorded 502 cases of gender-based violence between January and November 2025, resulting in two convictions, while 28 cases remain pending in court.

Adeleye described the figure as alarming and indicative of a deepening crisis affecting women, girls, and other vulnerable persons in the state.

She said the cases include sexual assault, domestic abuse, child molestation, digital harassment, and intimate partner violence, among others.

The Commissioner stressed that this grim reality underscores the urgent need for stronger legal safeguards and coordinated institutional action from all stakeholders to protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

Adeleye disclosed this during a press briefing in Abeokuta shortly after an advocacy walk led by the First Lady of the state, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, alongside members of the Spouses of Government Functionaries and other stakeholders, held in commemoration of the end of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence for 2025.

She noted that of the 502 cases, 120 were reported at the state’s Sexual Assault Referral Centres, while the remaining cases were documented through area offices and partner organisations.

Describing the figures as “deeply troubling,” Adeleye said they capture only cases that reached government channels, as many women and children remain silent out of fear, stigma, or social pressure.

“The rise in cases reflects both the persistence of violence and the growing willingness of survivors to seek help due to improved reporting systems,” she explained.

She highlighted a spike in digital-related abuse, including cyberbullying, online harassment, sextortion, and impersonation, which she said has emerged as a major concern for the state in the digital age.

Giving documented statistics, Adeleye said, “The Ministry and its partners in 2025 have managed over 502 reported cases of gender-based violence across Ogun State.

“120 of these cases were recorded at our Sexual Assault Referral Centres, while others were reported through our area offices and partner organisations.

“These cases cut across sexual violence, domestic abuse, child abuse, digital abuse, intimate partner violence, incest, child neglect, and physical assault.

“So far, twenty-eight (28) cases have been formally charged to court, with many others already progressing through advanced stages of prosecution.”

Speaking on the year’s theme, “Unite to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls,” Adeleye warned that technology has created a new frontier for abuse, allowing perpetrators to target victims remotely and anonymously.

She added that growing digital exposure has left many young people vulnerable to online grooming, extortion, and emotional manipulation.

The Commissioner highlighted interventions by the current administration, in partnership with the State Economic Transformation Project and the United Nations Population Fund, to curb GBV incidents.

She said the government, in collaboration with development partners, has strengthened Sexual Assault Referral Centres to provide safe spaces for survivors and has conducted intensive capacity-building programmes for law enforcement officers, teachers, health workers, and social workers on digital safety and GBV response.

Adeleye further noted that the Ministry expanded state-wide sensitisation programmes in both rural and urban communities, engaging traditional institutions, religious bodies, and schools to dismantle cultural practices that normalise gender-based violence.

She identified key challenges in the fight against GBV, including slow judicial processes, family interference, underfunded survivor services, and weak inter-agency coordination.

The Commissioner advocated for the establishment of special courts for GBV cases, safe termination of pregnancy in cases of rape and incest, and the classification of rape as a non-bailable offence, arguing that granting bail often exposes survivors to intimidation and derails investigations.

Adeleye also urged parents, teachers, digital platforms, and community leaders to take greater responsibility for safeguarding children and addressing online risks, while encouraging men to act as allies in challenging harmful norms and supporting a violence-free society.

Reassuring survivors of continuous support, she said the state would continue to strengthen toll-free reporting lines, shelters, and referral centres, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to creating a safe environment for all women and girls.

After the advocacy walk, Mrs Abiodun and Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele also called for stricter punishment for sexual offenders to curb the rising cases of GBV.

Gender-based violence remains a pervasive human rights issue in Nigeria, marked by significant underreporting and systemic challenges in the justice system.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is held annually to sensitise the public on the need for collective action to protect women, girls, and other vulnerable persons.

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