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Attorney General says abuse cuts across all ages, youngest survivor just 18 months
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Over 3,000 children exposed to domestic violence received counselling
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State vows to sustain zero-tolerance policy against sexual and gender-based violence
Lagos State has recorded 8,692 cases of domestic and sexual violence between August 2024 and July 2025, highlighting the scale of abuse within Nigeria’s commercial capital.
The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, disclosed the figure at a media parley in Ikeja to mark the annual Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month. He said domestic violence accounted for 3,685 of the total cases, making it the most prevalent form of abuse.
Pedro, represented by the Solicitor-General, Hameed Oyenuga, noted that the youngest survivor was an 18-month-old child, while the oldest was 79, underscoring that abuse in Lagos cuts across all age brackets.
Breaking down the figures, he said the state documented 243 cases of defilement, 244 of child abuse and physical assault, 99 of rape, 48 of sexual harassment, and 25 of sexual assault by penetration. He also confirmed 726 family-related disputes, 41 cyber harassment cases, and 32 threats to life.
The attorney general revealed that Lagos secured over 140 convictions within the period and issued six restraining orders to protect survivors. He stressed that the government’s zero-tolerance stance remained unwavering, with free medical care provided for all survivors of sexual assault and free legal representation for 146 others.
In his breakdown, Pedro explained that 3,090 children exposed to domestic violence received counselling, while 1,487 survivors and 249 perpetrators underwent therapy. He added that 30 individuals were sheltered, and 13 persons with disabilities received specialised support services.
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Alimosho, Eti-Osa, Ikorodu, Kosofe, and Oshodi-Isolo emerged as the councils with the highest number of adult-related cases, while Ikorodu, Kosofe, Badagry, Alimosho, and Oshodi-Isolo topped child-related reports.
The state government, Pedro assured, would continue to strengthen response systems and partnerships to protect survivors, ensure justice, and confront perpetrators across Lagos communities.
