The Delta State Police Command has arrested five persons, including a community leader, in connection with alleged sexual assaults of women during a local festival in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, disclosed the development on Friday via a post on X, identifying one of the suspects as Chief Omorede Sunday, described as the community head and chief organiser of the festival. Four other suspects from the Oramudu quarters were also arrested.
According to Edafe, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Aina Adesola, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) 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,” Edafe stated.
The arrests follow widespread outrage over allegations that a traditional festival in the community exposed women to harassment and sexual violence.
The controversy gained traction on social media after a user, Veronica Park (@Tegsmamaa), alleged that women were being targeted during a seven-day festival, with a purported rule requiring them to remain indoors. According to her, those found outside after midday were allegedly subjected to harassment and assault.
“The videos I’ve seen are horrific,” she wrote, claiming some bystanders recorded the incidents instead of intervening.
Another resident, who shared videos online anonymously, described the situation as ongoing and called for urgent intervention.
Some of the circulating videos, which have not been independently verified, appear to show women being physically harassed in public. In one widely shared clip, a woman with torn clothing is seen pleading for release while surrounded by a group of men.
The reports have sparked condemnation across social media, with many Nigerians demanding accountability and questioning the role of community leaders in safeguarding residents.
Public health advocate Aproko Doctor also weighed in, describing the situation as unacceptable.
“In 2026, people’s mothers, people’s sisters, are living in terror because of a supposed ‘culture’ in Delta State. This is beyond sad, and we cannot continue to live like this,” he said.
Authorities have not yet issued a comprehensive statement confirming the full extent of the allegations. However, the police have assured the public that investigations are ongoing and that all those found culpable will be prosecuted.
Brief History of the Festival
The Ozoro festival is a long-standing cultural event among the Isoko people of Delta State, traditionally held to mark communal unity, spiritual cleansing, and the observance of age-old customs. Historically, such festivals often involve rites performed by male initiates, masquerade displays, and restrictions aimed at preserving the sanctity of certain rituals.
In many Isoko communities, aspects of the festival were originally intended to be symbolic, with women and non-initiates expected to observe from a distance rather than participate directly. Elders typically oversaw the process to ensure order and adherence to tradition.
However, over time, critics say some of these practices have been misinterpreted or abused, leading to growing concerns about human rights, safety, and the need to reform cultural observances in line with modern legal and social standards.
Stakeholders and rights advocates have continued to stress that no cultural practice should violate human rights or endanger lives, urging swift justice and stronger protection for women in the community