Ozoro Sexual Abuse: Police Await Victims' Report Amid Calls for Justice
The Delta State Police Command has addressed the controversial Alue-Do festival in Ozoro, dismissing claims that it was a "rape festival" while confirming the arrest of 16 suspects. According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Bright Edafe, no victim has officially reported rape in connection with the incident. Edafe made this statement during an interview on Channels Television's breakfast show, The Morning Brief, emphasizing that investigations are based strictly on evidence and witness accounts.
Police Statement on Festival Intent
Edafe clarified that the festival was a traditional rite organized by a chief priest to pray for barren women seeking children, not intended to promote sexual violence. He stressed, "The law does not work on emotions; the law works on available evidence and statements of witnesses. For the fact that we have not had anybody say she was raped, and the evidence does not show that anybody was raped; sexual assault is what we would be investigating." This response comes amid public outcry over alleged sexual assaults during the event.
Legal and Government Response
In a related development, the Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ekemejoro Ohwovoriole, led a high-level delegation to the State Police Headquarters in Asaba. He met with the Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola, to firm up plans for prosecuting the arrested suspects. Ohwovoriole commended the police for their swift response in restoring calm and assured that the state government would provide necessary legal backing to ensure diligent prosecution of offenders.
Condemnation from Legal Expert
Meanwhile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chukwudi Enebeli, strongly condemned the reported cases of multiple rape incidents in Ozoro, describing them as barbaric and criminal. Enebeli stated that such acts are a gross misrepresentation of Delta values and warned against rationalizing sexual violence as part of tradition. He said, "Such conduct is condemnable in the strongest terms and does not represent what Deltans ordinarily stand for. This can never be described as culture; it is outright criminality."
Calls for Action and Investigation
Enebeli highlighted the deep psychological scars left on victims and their families, urging the Police and Delta state government to take swift, decisive, and transparent action. He called for a thorough investigation into the incidents to ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice. The ongoing situation underscores the tension between cultural practices and legal accountability, with authorities balancing evidence-based policing against public demands for justice.
