From Celebration to Crime Scene: Police Arrest Six Over Ozoro Festival Assaults

ASABA, NIGERIA — A cultural celebration turned dark in Ozoro, Delta State, as police launched a sweeping crackdown following shocking allegations of widespread sexual violence during the annual festival. Six suspects, including a prominent community leader, have been arrested after disturbing videos surfaced online, showing young women being harassed, molested, and assaulted in public.

The clips, which spread like wildfire across social media, captured chaotic scenes from Oramudu Quarters in Isoko North Local Government Area, igniting outrage nationwide. Victims were seen crying and struggling to fend off groups of men who tore at their clothing and groped them, prompting calls for swift justice.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed on Friday that the chief organiser of the event, Chief Omorede Sunday, was among those apprehended, alongside the head of the Oramudu community and four others. The arrests come as part of a full-scale investigation ordered by Commissioner of Police Aina Adesola, who condemned the assaults as “criminal, inhumane, and a gross violation of human dignity.”

“The Command unequivocally condemns these barbaric acts,” Edafe stated. “Sexual violence is unacceptable under any guise, and those responsible will face the full weight of the law.”

To ensure a thorough probe, the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), with tactical units deployed to track down additional suspects identified in the viral footage. Police have urged victims and witnesses to step forward with information, promising confidentiality and professionalism throughout the process.

The Delta State Government also slammed the incident, labeling it “barbaric” and emphasizing that no cultural tradition can justify such atrocities. Officials reiterated their zero-tolerance policy toward gender-based violence and vowed to hold all perpetrators accountable.

As investigations deepen, the festival’s dark turn has sparked nationwide debates about cultural practices and public safety. Social media users have branded the event a “rape festival,” raising uncomfortable questions about the role of tradition in perpetuating abuse.

The Commissioner of Police has called for calm as authorities intensify efforts to bring justice to the victims. “We are committed to protecting lives, upholding citizens’ rights, and ensuring that such acts are never repeated,” CP Adesola assured.

More updates as this story develops.