A coalition of civil society organisations dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable persons has renewed a national call for the Kano State House of Assembly to fast-track the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill.
The organisation described the law as crucial to strengthening Nigeria’s fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
The appeal was led by the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), during the launch of the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence organised by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and partner organisations in Kano state North West Nigeria.
Kano State Coordinator of NACTAL, Muhammad Mashi, said the urgency of passing the VAPP law goes beyond the state, noting that it aligns with the wider national push to ensure uniform legal protection for survivors across the country.
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Mashi revealed that NAPTIP has recorded more than 2,000 cases of violations in Kano alone, an alarming figure he said underscores the need for a comprehensive legal framework.
According to him, “The passage of the VAPP law is not optional, but it is a necessity for the protection of our children, women and all vulnerable groups.
“With over 2,000 cases recorded by NAPTIP, the state must act with urgency. We are calling on the Honourable Speaker and members of the Assembly to expedite action so that we can all celebrate its passage soon.”
He commended the state legislature for enacting the Child Rights Law and urged the quick inauguration of the Child Rights Implementation Committee to ensure effective enforcement.
Sending a Strong Message
Also speaking, Co-Chair of the Side-By-Side Movement for Gender Justice, Reverend Samuel Adeyemo, stressed that, passing the VAPP law would send a strong message to perpetrators nationwide.
He noted that the bill’s punitive measures would deter abuse and strengthen community protection.
He disclosed that the movement was deploying community vanguards across all 44 local government areas of Kano State to dismantle the culture of silence that often shields offenders.
Harmonising the Penal Code
In his remarks, the Kano Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Abdullahi Babale, praised the state legislature for ongoing efforts to harmonise the Penal Code and the VAPP Act.
He described the process as a significant step toward aligning Kano with national standards for combating violence.
He said the initiative driven by leadership, consultation, and commitment signals Kano’s readiness to “modernise its laws, expand protections for survivors, and adopt a comprehensive approach to ending violence.”
Representing the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Hon.Jibrin Falgore, the Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, Abdullahi Alpha, assured stakeholders that the Assembly would carefully consider their submissions as deliberations continue.
The VAPP Act, already domesticated in over 30 states, is widely regarded by national advocacy groups as Nigeria’s most comprehensive legal tool for addressing SGBV.
Advocates say Kano’s passage of the bill will further boost the national momentum toward a unified legal response to violence across the country.
Confidence Okwuchi