Delta-map
Iyunade Grace
The Delta State Government has strongly condemned the harassment and sexual assault of women during the Ozoro Festival, describing the acts as “barbaric and unacceptable”. The government has called on security agencies to investigate and bring perpetrators to justice, emphasizing zero tolerance for gender-based violence.
Videos circulating on social media showed men forcefully tearing the clothes of young women and assaulting them, sparking outrage and concern. The Delta State Commissioner for Works and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, urged community leaders to strengthen security arrangements at cultural festivals to prevent such incidents.
ActionAid Nigeria has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible, stating that violence against women and girls must never be trivialized or justified. The organization also called on the Federal and State Ministries of Women Affairs to provide survivor-centered support, including medical care and psychosocial services.
The Delta State Police Command has commenced an investigation, describing the incident as “alarming, disgusting, and embarrassing”. The police have assured the public that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend those involved .
The Ozoro Festival incident highlights broader systemic issues of gender-based violence, where harmful norms and weak enforcement create conditions that allow such violations to occur. Addressing this requires deliberate, sustained action across institutions, communities, and leadership structures.
The Isoko Development Union has described the incident as an “aberration” that doesn’t reflect the traditional values of the Isoko people. The Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area, Prince Godwin Ogorugba, has vowed to arrest and prosecute the culprits.
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has expressed concern over the incident, emphasizing the need to strengthen collective action against gender-based violence. The Ministry has assured support for victims, including psychosocial services and medical care.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with stakeholders insisting that it must serve as a turning point in tackling sexual violence and enforcing accountability .
