Reported by: Puis Althea | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, has issued a powerful call to action, urging residents to report cases of sexual and domestic violence while issuing a stern warning that the palace would not shield any perpetrator found guilty of such offences. The monarch made this declaration on Wednesday at his palace, shortly after a rally against sexual and gender-based violence that took place across the Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area in Lagos. The awareness campaign, which saw community members march through major streets carrying placards with inscriptions such as 'real men don't abuse women', 'protect the rights of women and girls', 'stop the violence, break the bias', and 'stand against all forms of domestic and sexual violence in Igbogbo', formed part of activities marking the monarch's 10th coronation anniversary, scheduled to run from July 19 to 26, 2026.
Speaking at the event, Oba Kasali described sexual and gender-based violence as a growing global concern and called for collective efforts from all stakeholders to curb the menace. The monarch warned that anyone found violating the law would face justice, stressing that legal provisions existed to protect all citizens. "We must all do our part to reduce the occurrence of sexual and gender-based violence in our society. The law is there to protect everybody, but it will deal with whoever tramples upon it," he declared. His words resonated deeply with the gathered community members, many of whom had participated in the rally to demonstrate their commitment to ending the scourge of domestic and sexual violence in their communities.
The Adeboruwa urged victims and witnesses to speak up, assuring residents that reports made to the palace would be handled without fear or favour. He appealed to residents to obey the law and fulfil their civic responsibilities in promoting a violence-free community. "We are speaking with one voice alongside NGOs and relevant Lagos State agencies against sexual and domestic violence. We encourage people to speak out whenever such acts occur. People should not hesitate to approach the palace. I assure you that nothing will be swept under the carpet," Oba Kasali said. His assurance that the palace would not shield perpetrators marks a significant departure from the traditional culture of silence that has often surrounded cases of domestic and sexual violence in many communities.
Delivering a lecture at the event, the Head of Field Operations of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Oluwakemi Bello, provided a sobering overview of the problem, noting that domestic violence cuts across all family relationships and remains a major concern for the state government. Bello explained that domestic violence can occur between husband and wife, father and child, mother and child, or even children against their parents. She warned that the Lagos State Government has zero tolerance for domestic violence, citing repeated reports of couples killing one another over disagreements. Her remarks underscored the urgent need for continued awareness and prevention efforts, particularly in communities where such incidents have become alarmingly frequent.
Speaking in an interview, the Executive Director of the Community Human Rights Foundation, Alhaji Lateef Akinborode, provided a stark statistical context, revealing that data from Lagos State indicated that Ikorodu remains one of the areas with the highest incidence of domestic violence. "This event is timely because when we reviewed Lagos State data on domestic violence, we realised that Ikorodu is one of the areas with the highest cases. Sensitisation like this is important to eradicate the menace and cleanse the community," Akinborode said. His statement highlighted the critical importance of the monarch's intervention in a region that has been disproportionately affected by gender-based violence.
The rally and the monarch's declaration come at a time when Lagos State has intensified its efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence. The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has been at the forefront of these efforts, securing convictions and raising awareness through community engagement and partnerships with traditional rulers. In recent years, the state government has secured numerous convictions in domestic and sexual violence cases, demonstrating its commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and providing justice for survivors. The engagement of traditional rulers like Oba Kasali has been a key strategy in this fight, recognising the influential role that monarchs play in shaping community attitudes and behaviours.
Oba Kasali's stance is particularly significant given the traditional authority he wields in Igbogbo Kingdom and the broader Ikorodu division. By openly declaring that perpetrators will not find refuge in his palace, the monarch has sent a clear message that the culture of silence and impunity that has long enabled domestic and sexual violence will no longer be tolerated. His call for victims and witnesses to speak up, combined with his assurance that reports will be handled without fear or favour, represents a crucial step towards creating an environment where survivors feel safe to come forward and seek justice.
The 10th coronation anniversary of Oba Kasali, which is being marked with a series of events from July 19 to 26, has provided a strategic platform for this anti-violence campaign. By choosing to dedicate part of his anniversary celebrations to raising awareness about domestic and sexual violence, the monarch has demonstrated that the fight against gender-based violence is a priority for his reign. The participation of community members, NGOs, and government agencies in the rally reflects a growing recognition that tackling domestic and sexual violence requires a multi-stakeholder approach that engages all sectors of society.
The incident also highlights the broader challenge of domestic and sexual violence in Lagos State, where rapid urbanisation, economic pressures, and social dislocation have contributed to an increase in such cases. The Lagos State Government has responded with a combination of legal reforms, awareness campaigns, and support services for survivors, but the persistence of high case numbers in areas like Ikorodu suggests that more needs to be done. The engagement of traditional rulers like Oba Kasali is part of a strategy to reach communities at the grassroots level, where cultural norms and traditional practices often shape attitudes towards gender and violence.
As the Igbogbo community continues its anti-violence campaign, the monarch's words and actions will likely have a lasting impact on how domestic and sexual violence is perceived and addressed in the kingdom. His declaration that the palace will not shield perpetrators serves as a powerful deterrent and a reminder that justice is available for all victims, regardless of their status or background. For the residents of Igbogbo and the wider Ikorodu division, the monarch's intervention offers hope that the tide may finally be turning against the scourge of domestic and sexual violence.
The rally and the monarch's call to action are part of a larger movement across Lagos State to end gender-based violence. With the support of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency and other stakeholders, traditional rulers are increasingly becoming champions of the fight against domestic and sexual violence, using their influence to change attitudes and behaviours at the community level. The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo's leadership in this regard sets an example for other traditional rulers and communities across the state, demonstrating that the fight against gender-based violence requires the active participation of all members of society.
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