The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Kwara said it recorded 122 domestic violence cases from January to October 2026.
The commission’s coordinator in Kwara, Mrs Olajumoke Olaoye, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ilorin.
Olaoye, however, said there had recently been an improvement in awareness of rights within marriage and the willingness of victims, including men, to speak out against domestic violence.
She said the commission received complaints from both men and women, although women made more reports.
The coordinator, however, added that the cases were not limited to physical assault but included emotional, sexual and economic abuse.
According to her, some men are reluctant to report abuse by their wives because of societal expectations and the stigma associated with being a male victim.
Olaoye also identified spousal rape as a form of sexual violence, stressing that marriage or payment of bride price did not remove the need for consent in sexual relations.
She, however, expressed concern over the tendency of some families to cover up sexual abuse, particularly rape cases, instead of seeking justice for victims.
She said cultural and religious misconceptions had contributed significantly to the prevalence of domestic violence, particularly against women.
“Our culture has relegated women to the background, and there are still some traditional settings where women are not allowed to participate in certain meetings or express their opinions.
“Some people also interpret religious teachings to mean that women must endure abuse in the name of respecting their husbands.
“But things are changing because we have been engaging religious leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to ensure that they support efforts to reduce domestic violence,” she said.
She added that the commission had also received cases involving physical abuse of children, stressing that discipline should not be used as an excuse to violate their fundamental rights.
On legal protection, Olaoye cited Chapter Four of the 1999 Constitution and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2020 (VAPP Law), as key instruments protecting victims against domestic violence.
She said the VAPP law provided comprehensive provisions against different forms of abuse, including physical assault, economic violence, sexual abuse and the unlawful deprivation of a spouse’s property.
According to her, the law provides penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for offenders.
Olaoye said the implementation of the law in Kwara was progressing gradually, noting that the Ministry of Justice had started relying on its provisions in prosecuting criminal cases, particularly rape.
She said the commission also has mechanisms for handling cases beyond its administrative capacity at the state level.
According to her, such cases can be referred to the commission’s headquarters for consideration by its council, which can conduct inquiries and issue decisions enforceable as High Court judgments.
She added that the commission could also engage pro bono lawyers through its legal department to pursue public interest litigation on behalf of victims who could not afford legal services.
The coordinator said the commission collaborates with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), police, and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
She also named the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development as a collaborator in addressing cases requiring intervention.
On seeking assistance, Olaoye said victims could lodge complaints via physical visits, phone calls, WhatsApp messages and emails.
She added that victims could also report anonymously or through third parties, particularly where they feared intimidation or stigmatisation.
Olaoye urged victims of domestic violence to speak out and seek assistance rather than endure abuse in silence.
She urged families, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to support efforts to curb domestic violence and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.
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