Panic has gripped Ozoro, headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, as several female students have reportedly fled the community following the assault of women during a traditional festival.
The development comes in the aftermath of the controversial ‘Alue-Do’ festival, where viral videos showed groups of youths chasing, stripping, and assaulting young women, triggering widespread outrage across the country.
A student leader who spoke on the situation revealed that many female students, still traumatised by the incident, began leaving the area over fears of further attacks, especially with indications that the festival could last up to seven days.
“Most of the female students are scared. Many left early this morning, and others continued to leave throughout the day,” the source said, adding that tension remains high in the community.
He further alleged that some university students were involved in the assaults, describing the situation as deeply disturbing and reflective of a broader moral decline.
“It is not only indigenes who took part. Some students were also involved, which makes it even more troubling. It shows a worrying level of societal decadence,” he said, calling for all perpetrators to be treated as criminals and prosecuted.
While no confirmed cases of rape have been reported, some victims were said to have received medical treatment for assault-related injuries.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command has intensified its response, arresting 11 additional suspects in connection with the incident, bringing the total number of those in custody to 15. Among those earlier arrested are a community leader, Omorede Sunday, and four others.
Police spokesperson Bright Edafe said the arrests were made by operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team under the directive of Commissioner of Police Aina Adesola, following detailed analysis of video footage and intelligence reports.
He emphasised that preliminary findings indicate the violence was perpetrated by criminal elements who exploited the festival, stressing that such acts are not part of any legitimate cultural practice.
“The Commissioner of Police condemns these acts in totality and assures the public that all those involved will be brought to justice,” Edafe said.
The incident has drawn strong condemnation from the Nigerian Bar Association, which described it as a “national disgrace,” stressing that no cultural excuse can justify violence against women.
In a statement signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, and the Chairperson of the NBA Women Forum, Huwaila Muhammad, the association said the treatment of women reflects the moral state of society.
Similarly, the Nigeria Federation of Business and Professional Women has petitioned Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, calling for the suspension of traditional rulers in Ozoro and the establishment of an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the incident.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, with assurances that all perpetrators will face prosecution as efforts continue to restore calm in the community.