The devastating news of an entire family brutally murdered in their home in Kano. This horrific act is not an isolated incident it is part of an escalating pattern of violence that reflects a deepening security failure and a dangerous moral collapse in Nigeria.
For years, I have consistently spoken out about the increasing brutal killings of girls and women and the widening spectrum of gender-based violence across the country human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, labour exploitation, political exclusion, and economic violence against women. The killing of a young Barr. Princess Nwamaka Chigbo, pushed out of a moving vehicle in Abuja by individuals widely referred to as “one-chance operators,” remains a chilling reminder that in today’s Nigeria, being a woman has become increasingly unsafe.
When these killings are viewed alongside the surge in kidnappings for ransom, the unprovoked attacks by unknown gunmen, and violent raids on communities that leave families wiped out in their homes, a disturbing truth emerges: violence has become normalised, accountability has weakened, and human life especially the lives of women and girls has been dangerously devalued.
This is not merely a security crisis. It is a gendered human rights emergency. A society where women cannot commute safely, work safely, participate in politics freely, or live without fear is a society that is failing at its most basic duty protecting life and dignity.
As a human rights and gender advocacy organisation, Adinya Arise Foundation unequivocally condemns this heinous killing and the persistent culture of violence and impunity that enables it. The failure to decisively address these crimes sends a clear and dangerous signal: that violence pays, that justice is optional, and that women’s lives are expendable.
Let it be stated clearly: no nation can claim democratic progress, economic growth, or political stability while women are routinely brutalised and families are unsafe in their homes. The erosion of moral values, integrity, and accountability is pushing Nigeria toward a place where brutality replaces conscience and fear replaces hope.
We therefore call on the Federal and State Governments, security agencies, and relevant institutions to rise immediately and responsibly to this moment by:
Ensuring swift, transparent, and credible investigations into all killings and gender-based crimes
Ending the culture of impunity by prosecuting perpetrators without delay or exception
Prioritising the protection of women and girls in security planning and response
Strengthening community intelligence, survivor-centered justice mechanisms, and institutional accountability
Reasserting moral and political leadership that places human dignity, justice, and the sanctity of life at the core of governance
Security is not defined by force alone. It is defined by justice, accountability, moral leadership, and the protection of the most vulnerable. A nation that cannot protect its women, children, and families risks losing not only its credibility, but its soul.
Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. The continued escalation of violence, if left unchecked, spells grave danger for our collective future. This moment must serve as a national reckoning and a wake-up call.
We must urgently reclaim our humanity, restore justice, and reaffirm the values that uphold the worth of every life.
Enough must truly become enough.
Mabel Adinya Ade is the founder and Executive Director of the Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF) and a long-standing human rights and gender advocate.
