Experts raise concern over rising cases of spousal killings

Security experts have raised concerns over the surge in spousal killings in the country, calling for urgent measures to address the trend.

The experts, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Sunday in Lagos, described the trending act as ” worrisome.”

NAN reports that many such cases have been reported in some parts of the country in the last few weeks, fuelling stakeholders’ apprehension.

The experts have attributed such factors as domestic violence, the unemployment rate, and substance abuse to being responsible for the increase in spousal killings.

There was the case of Kabiru Arewa, 33, who allegedly punched his wife, Suliyat, 24, to death at the Olunloyo area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

In Ondo State, the Police Command apprehended and detained a labourer, Sunday Emmanuel, who allegedly macheted his wife, Linda, 35, to death following a heated argument over their annual wages in the Idanre area of the state.

Similarly, the Police Command in Lagos State within the same week nabbed and detained for prosecution a man, Motunrayo Olaniyi, 30, who allegedly stabbed his newlywed pregnant wife, Olajumoke, 25, to death and set her body ablaze in the Ikorodu axis of the state.

Ebonyi Police Command also arrested a man, Sunday Itumo, 30, for strangling his wife, Ngozi, to death over a minor misunderstanding in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Command in Adamawa detained a butcher, Ibrahim Abubakar, 33, for allegedly stabbing his wife, Hajara, 25, to death with a knife for seizing his phone in the Girei Local Government Area of the state.

There was the reported case of 33-year-old housewife, Comfort Tinubu, detained by the Oyo police command for allegedly stabbing her 39-year-old husband, Olusegun Tinubu, to death three years after marriage in the Adegbayi area of Ibadan.

Yet, there were also stories of a pastor, Elijah Ibeabuchi, in Anambra and another man in Imo, both of whom allegedly stabbed their wives to death with knives.

Mr. Seyi Babaeko, the Managing Director of Absolute Security and Advance Protocol Ltd., told NAN that the trend had resulted in the loss of precious lives and left families devastated.

“The growing rate of homicidal attacks in the country is not unconnected to the high unemployment rate, substance abuse, and domestic violence.

“Most atrocities are carried out by cultists, thugs, and family members with psychological issues.

“A whole lot of Nigerians are silently battling mental issues and depression, ” he said.

Babaeko called for concerted efforts to mitigate the menace.

“The government should invest in mental health services, create job training and employment initiatives and also launch public awareness campaigns on the dangers of drug abuse and domestic violence.

“Police should build trust with the communities to encourage reporting of drug abuse, domestic violence and other crimes.

“Parents, religious leaders and society at large should stop advising couples to remain in an abusive relationship, ” he said.

He urged people to refrain from violent behaviours and avoid carrying dangerous weapons to prevent the occurrence of such incidents.

In the same vein, the former president of the Crime Association of Nigeria, Mr. Christopher Oji, said that domestic violence was a leading cause of spousal killings in society.

“Many spouses have been sent to their early graves by those who claimed to love them, ” he said.

He listed other reasons for killing, including infidelity, anger issues, jealousy, frustration, poverty, aggression, and job loss.

According to him, both genders are culpable, but added that “women are mostly the victims.”

He urged the government to create jobs and implement policies that cushion the effects of poverty.

According to him, law enforcement agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, and individuals should use their platforms to condemn domestic violence and other vices.