The Delta State Police Command has arrested five individuals, including a community leader and chief organiser of the Ozoro festival, over the alleged assault of women during the annual event.
Police spokesperson Bright Edafe confirmed the development in a post on X on Friday, identifying the community head as Chief Omorede Sunday alongside four other suspects from Oramudu quarters in Ozoro.
According to Edafe, the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, has directed that the suspects be immediately transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
“The community head and chief organiser of the event, one chief Omorede Sunday and four other suspects from Oramudu quarters in Ozoro have been arrested. The CP has ordered that they should be transferred to State CID with immediate effect. The CP vows that anyone involved will be arrested and brought to justice,” he wrote.
The arrests followed widespread outrage after videos circulated online showing groups of young men allegedly harassing women during the festival. In the footage, some victims were reportedly attacked, stripped, and subjected to various forms of molestation.
The incident is said to have occurred on Thursday, March 19, during the annual celebration, where it is alleged that women are expected to remain indoors, with those found outside becoming targets for harassment.
There were also unverified claims suggesting that some victims may have been raped, although authorities had not confirmed these reports as of the time of filing this report.
Earlier, Edafe had condemned the incident in strong terms, describing it as “alarming, disgusting and embarrassing,” while stressing that such actions have no place in society.
“No custom or tradition is superior to the rights of citizens,” he said, while calling on witnesses to provide useful information to aid the investigation.
The Delta State Government also denounced the incident, with the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, labeling the acts as barbaric and unacceptable.
READ ALSO:
- Five Arrested As Police Probe Alleged Molestation Of Women At Delta Festival
- Gospel Singer Judikay Welcomes Baby Girl
- Lagos APC Celebrates Eid-l-Fitri with Muslim Faithfuls
- Eid-el-Fitr: Tinubu Calls On Muslims To Embrace Unity, Compassion
- I Haven’t Left My Husband’s House In 44 Years – Fali Werepe
“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,” Aniagwu said.
He further urged community leaders and event organisers to implement proper security measures during cultural festivals to prevent similar occurrences.
The state government reiterated its zero tolerance for gender-based violence, warning that anyone found guilty would face the full force of the law.
The incident has triggered widespread reactions on social media, with many users demanding justice using the hashtag “Stop Raping Women.” One user, Moyosoreoluwa, wrote: “Stop raping women!!!! What is the delta state government even doing about this? How long has this been going on in Ozoro, Delta State??”
Another user, Nze, added: “Some cultures need to die, and if your culture is tampering on human rights, it needs to die! If your culture tells you that there are days meant to rape and molest women, then that culture must die!”