The Worrisome Trend Of Domestic Violence In Nigerian Homes

A woman violated domestically.

By Dovina Yahaya

The trend of women in violent homes in Nigeria has become a topical issue in the country.

Gone are days when being married was the joy of every woman, these days the fear of being violated, has taken a torn on women than the thought of being married.

Though the level in which women have been violated in various homes in Nigeria is believed to be on the high, a lot of women have been in silence as regards the state of violence in their homes.

While many women who are violated domestically have refused to open up, Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe Gentry recently called for help as she confirmed that she was domestically violated by her husband Lanre Gentry.

The revelation came after a week of back and forth between the actress and her husband in the media.

The screen goddess made the revelation on her Instagram page on Friday, May 5, 2017, adding that she had to move out of her matrimonial home after years of domestic violence.

The actress wrote: " Dear Lanre Gentry, It breaks my heart that I have to do this but as it is you have left me with no choice......I had sleepless night because I just couldn't comprehend why someone I loved , someone with whom I have a child will be hell bent on destroying me, I just cannot comprehend it.

"Lanre you forget quickly!...., you forget how I have labored and stood by you all these years, even though all what I was getting from you was constant beating, harassment ,threat to my life and threat to destroying my image if I dare, leave you...You must PROOF all your allegations otherwise God knows I am going to add another lawsuit to the one on ground", she said.

A fight between the couple allegedly led to her bleeding, a situation which informed her decision to storm the office of the Lagos State Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Commissioner, Lola Akande, to report the matter.

Speaking on the current trend of domestic violence in Nigerian homes, Stephanie Adebayo, a newly married woman, has called on men practicing domestic violence to end the act because it is unpalatable.

Similarly, Lovina Igbokwe, a mother of four, has said the Federal Government should wade into the matter by giving stringent punishments to the violators.

Lovina Igbokwe. Photo credit: Dovina Y.

In her words: "I don't think violence from men against their wives is a proper thing and any man that can do it deserves some punishment from the Nigerian government.

"Let me use my daughter as example maybe she is domestically violated by her husband, I will make sure I beat that man up and also hand him over to the law enforcement agencies or place him on rehab.

"So as far as I am concern, domestic violence is bad and must not be encouraged in anyway and I am seriously against it", Igbokwe assured.