Delta Police Arrest Community Head, Others Over Alleged Rape During Festival
Delta Police Command has arrested a community head, Omorede Sunday, and four other suspects over the reported rape and assault of young women during a festival in Oruamudhu community, Ozoro, in Isoko North Local Government Area.
The arrests followed outrage over videos that surfaced on social media on Thursday, showing men tearing the clothes of young women and sexually assaulting them during the event.
In one of the clips, a young woman was seen crying while trying to cover herself after her clothes were torn, as some youths violently groped her.
Reports said women were forbidden from going outside from 12pm on Thursday until the following day because of the festival.
Some social media users alleged that youths in the community turned the event into what they described as a “rape festival” because women were barred from taking part.
OSUN DEFENDER also sighted screenshots of messages shared on the WhatsApp community of students of Southern Delta University, Ozoro, warning female students not to step outside during the period of the festival.
The videos triggered widespread anger online, with many Nigerians demanding the arrest of those involved and justice for the victims.
In a statement issued on Friday, the spokesperson for the Delta Police Command, Bright Edafe, said Sunday, identified as the community head, was the chief organiser of the festival.
Edafe added that the Commissioner of Police had directed that the suspects be transferred immediately to the State Criminal Investigation Department.
“The community head and chief organiser of the event, one chief Omorede Sunday and four other suspects from Oramudu quarters in Ozoro have been arrested,” Edafe said.
“The CP has ordered that they should be transferred to State CID with immediate effect. The CP vows that anyone involved will be arrested and brought to justice.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
