JUST IN: Shock as youths strip, rape, molest women during Delta community festival

Girls and women were reportedly raped, molested and assaulted by youths in Ozoro Kingdom, the headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area in Delta State.

The incident, which has sparked widespread condemnation, reportedly occurred on Thursday during the kingdom’s festival. Traditionally, girls and women are expected to remain indoors during certain hours of the celebration.

However, unlike previous years when the kingdom’s leadership issued approvals, notifications, and sensitization ahead of the festival, no such guidance was reportedly provided this year, a lapse believed to have contributed to the alleged attacks.

A youth who helped rescue some of the victims expressed outrage, calling on the Delta State government, the Isoko North council chairman, Ozoro kingdom leaders, and security agencies to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Public outrage has continued to grow following disturbing reports and viral videos allegedly showing a group of young men celebrating after forcibly stripping a woman naked in Ozoro. Several accounts describe the event as a so-called “raping festival”, creating an atmosphere of fear, with young women allegedly warned to remain indoors to avoid being attacked.

According to these reports, any woman seen in public during the period risks being accosted by groups of men.

Sources within the community alleged that multiple cases of molestation and rape have occurred.

Concerns have also been raised about the safety of female students of Delta State University, Ozoro, as well as visitors who may be unaware of the alleged dangers associated with the festival.

In a terse statement on Friday, Edafe Bright, the Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident on Friday, describing the act as “barbaric, unacceptable, and a gross violation of human rights.”

Edafe stated that the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, has ordered an investigation into the incident.

“This is alarming, disgusting and embarrassing. The CP has ordered an investigation into the incident. The command condemns this in totality, no custom or tradition is superior to the rights of citizens.

“The Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Aina Adesola urges Deltans to remain calm while assuring that those responsible for this barbaric act will be arrested and brought to justice. The command also calls for witnesses who can provide with useful information that can aid the ongoing investigation,” Edafe added.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area, Godwin Ogorugba, condemned the assaults as “inhumane, barbaric, and totally unacceptable,” while promising that those responsible would be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent.

He noted that some individuals may have exploited the festival to harass and assault women but denied that rape occurred.

The chairman further described the act as “sacrilegious and barbaric”, stating: “This is a condemnable and wicked act for the youths to hide under any form of guise to molest and assault harmless and innocent women during the kingdom’s festival.

“The act is unacceptable, shameful, and completely at variance with the customers and values of the Isoko people.

“Security agencies are already scrutinising the videos already in circulation to identify the disgruntled elements masquerading as youths that carried out the dastardly act against women during the kingdom’s festival.

“This is very disappointing. Painfully, there was no official notification or approval from the community leadership for any such festival, making the incident even more troubling.

“It is disheartening that young people, who should represent the pride and future of our society, would engage in acts that degrade and violate the dignity of women, our mothers and sisters for just no cause.

“No cultural or social activity justifies, any form of molestation, harassment, intimidation and misconduct. Every individual, indigene or non-indigenes deserves to be treated with respect, dignity and protected under the law. Not under my watch should this barbaric take place.

“We are already working closely with security agencies, who are in possession of relevant evidence and are currently reviewing the situation and I want assure the public that all those found culpable would be identified and brought to justice.”

“We are a peaceful and accommodating people, but we will not allow a few individuals to tarnish the image of our land. This unfortunate incident must serve as a lesson, and such behaviour will not be condoned under any circumstances,” Ogorugba warned.

Also condemning the incident, the Delta State Government described the development as barbaric and unacceptable.

In a statement issued on Friday, the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, said the government was deeply disturbed by reports of women being harassed and, in some cases, sexually assaulted under the guise of festival activities.

Aniagwu added that the state government frowns on any act that violates the dignity and rights of women, stressing that cultural celebrations must never serve as a cover for criminality.

“The Delta State Government strongly condemns the harassment of ladies and the reported cases of rape during the Ozoro Festival,” Aniagwu said.

“Such barbaric acts are totally unacceptable and have no place in our society. We are calling on the police and other security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to justice. No individual or group should be allowed to hide under the guise of a festival to perpetrate criminal activities.”

The commissioner further assured residents that the state government remains committed to protecting the rights and safety of all citizens, particularly women and vulnerable groups.

The government also urged community leaders and organisers of cultural festivals across the state to implement adequate measures to safeguard participants and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.