Lagos monarch rallies residents against sexual, domestic violence

The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, has urged residents to report cases of sexual and domestic violence, assuring them that the palace would not shield perpetrators.

The monarch gave the assurance on Wednesday at his palace shortly after a rally against sexual and gender-based violence held across Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area in Lagos.

The awareness campaign formed part of activities marking the monarch’s 10th coronation anniversary, scheduled for July 19 to 26, 2026.

Participants, including community members, marched through major roads in the LCDA 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’.

Speaking at the event, Oba Kasali described sexual and gender-based violence as a growing global concern and called for collective efforts 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.

He said, “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 urged victims and witnesses to speak up, assuring residents that reports made to the palace would be handled without fear or favour.

He also appealed to residents to obey the law and fulfil their civic responsibilities in promoting a violence-free community.

The monarch said, “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.”

Delivering a lecture at the event, the Head of Field Operations, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Oluwakemi Bello, said domestic violence cuts across all family relationships and remains a major concern for the state government.

Bello said, “Domestic violence can happen between husband and wife, father and child, mother and child, or even children against their parents.

The Lagos State Government does not want domestic violence because we have repeatedly seen reports of couples killing one another over disagreements.”

Speaking in an interview, the Executive Director of the Community Human Rights Foundation, Alhaji Lateef Akinborode, said data from Lagos State indicated that Ikorodu remained one of the areas with a high incidence of domestic violence.

He said, “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.”