Police promise justice as 16 arrested over Ozoro festival violence

The Delta Police Command has dismissed widespread claims that the controversial Alue-Do festival in Ozoro was a “rape festival”, stating that no victim has officially reported rape in connection with the incident.

Speaking on on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, , clarified that investigations so far have not produced any evidence of rape.

“It is important to state clearly that among the four girls that were interviewed yesterday, no one, not one of them, said they were raped. Up till this very moment, we have not had any official reports that anybody was raped,” he said.

Edafe explained that the police would rely strictly on evidence and witness testimonies, stressing that while no rape had been established, cases of sexual assault were under investigation.

He further clarified that the Alue-Do festival was originally a traditional rite intended as prayers for fertility, particularly for women seeking children, and not designed to promote any form of sexual violence.

“The law does not work on emotions; it works on available evidence and statements of witnesses. Since we do not have any report of rape, sexual assault is what we are investigating,” he added.

The police spokesman disclosed that a total of 16 suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident. According to him, the initial arrest included the chief priest and community head alongside four others, while further suspects were identified through video analysis and subsequently apprehended.

All suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

Edafe also revealed that police authorities visited affected areas, including Uzoro and Oramudu communities, where they met with some of the victims. He said assurances had been given that the state government would provide medical care, psychological support, and compensation for losses suffered during the incident.

He, however, criticised the organisers of the festival for failing to follow due process, noting that key stakeholders—including the traditional ruler, school authorities, student leaders, and the police—were not informed prior to the event.

“For reasons best known to them, the traditional ruler of Ozoro Kingdom was not informed, the students’ union was not informed, and the school management was not informed. They also did not inform the police,” he said, attributing the lapse to negligence on the part of organisers.

The controversy surrounding the festival erupted after disturbing videos circulated online, showing groups of men harassing and assaulting women in public, sparking nationwide outrage.

Community leaders have since maintained that the event was hijacked by hoodlums who exploited the gathering to perpetrate criminal acts.

Authorities have taken decisive action in response, including arrests and the banning of the Alue-Do festival, while investigations continue.

Meanwhile, the Ozoro Kingdom Palace, led by , has condemned the violence, describing the harassment and intimidation of women as unacceptable and contrary to the values of the kingdom.

The palace distanced itself from claims that such acts were sanctioned, emphasising that while the festival holds cultural significance as a fertility rite, tradition must never be used to justify abuse or misconduct.