Arrests Following Sexual Assault Allegations at Delta Festival
Police in Nigeria have arrested 15 individuals in connection with allegations of sexual assault at a community festival held in the southern Delta state.
Videos circulated online depict young men openly assaulting women who were alone. These clips provoked widespread outrage, resulting in the hashtag #StopRapingWomen trending on social media and renewed demands for accountability regarding gender-based violence.
Official Response and Denial of 'Rape Festival' Claims
Delta state police have dismissed claims circulating online that the Alue-Do festival in Ozoro is a "rape festival."
Bright Edafe, a local police spokesperson, told Channels TV on Monday that no formal reports of rape had been filed in relation to the festival.
The videos, recorded during the Alue-Do fertility festival in Ozoro city, show groups of young men chasing, stripping, grabbing, and assaulting women in public areas, sometimes while bystanders film the incidents.
The police spokesman described the scenes as
"alarming, disgusting and embarrassing"and stated that several suspects identified from the footage had been arrested and transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Edafe further told Channels TV:
"We have spoken to four girls and all of them said nobody raped them."
Among those detained is a community leader widely identified as the event's organiser.
The police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
Concerns Over Targeting and Possible Tolerance of Violence
Some witnesses, activists, and local residents report that women were warned not to go outside during certain parts of the festival, and those seen outdoors were deliberately targeted.
This situation has raised concerns that sexual violence may have been organised or tolerated under the guise of tradition.
Human rights groups emphasize that even if it remains unclear whether rape occurred, the documented acts—including forced stripping, grabbing, and public humiliation—constitute serious gender-based violence under Nigerian law.
Traditional Leaders and Government Statements
The King of Ozoro has rejected suggestions that the Alue-Do festival condones sexual assault, describing it as a fertility rite that was
"misinterpreted and abused by some youths."
Traditional leaders also assert that no rape took place. They acknowledge that two women were harassed but stress that such acts are criminal offenses rather than cultural practices.
The Delta state government supports this stance, stating that no recognised festival in the state permits sexual assault and that any violence should be treated strictly as a criminal matter.
Condemnation from Nigeria's First Lady
Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who has roots in Delta state, condemned the alleged assaults and called on security agencies to prosecute all offenders.
In a signed statement, she said:
"No culture justifies violating women and girls."She praised the police for recent arrests and encouraged victims to seek medical and psychological support.
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