No Rape Reported at Ozoro Festival, Says Delta Police
The Delta State Police Command has dismissed claims that the recent Alue-Do festival in Ozoro was a “rape festival,” stating that no victim has officially reported sexual assault.
Public Relations Officer of the command, Bright Edafe, speaking on Channels Television on Monday, said preliminary investigations do not support allegations of rape.
“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.
Despite viral videos and public concern, Edafe emphasised that police actions are guided strictly by evidence and witness statements.
He explained that the Alue-Do festival, a traditional fertility rite, was intended to pray for barren women, not to encourage sexual violence.
“It was not a rape festival. The law does not work on emotions; it works on available evidence and statements of witnesses. Sexual assault is what we would be investigating if evidence shows it occurred,” he said.
Edafe confirmed that 16 suspects are currently in police custody. Initial arrests included the chief priest and four others, with further analysis of video footage leading to the arrest of 11 additional individuals.
“They have been transferred to the State Command Headquarters to be duly investigated by the DC State CID,” he said.
Police officers also visited Ozoro and the nearby Oramudu community, meeting with four victims.
Authorities have assured them of government support, including medical care, compensation for lost property, and psychological assistance.
The police criticised the organisers for failing to follow due process, noting that the traditional ruler, students’ union, school authorities, and the police were not informed of the event.
Edafe attributed the disorder at the festival to negligence, particularly on the part of the chief priest.
The Delta State Government has condemned the incident, stressing that cultural practices cannot justify criminal behaviour.
The Alue-Do festival has been banned, and the case is now with the State Criminal Investigation Department.
Meanwhile, the Ozoro Kingdom Palace has distanced itself from the violence, describing harassment and intimidation of women during the festival as unacceptable and contrary to the community’s values. The palace warned against misinformation, insisting such acts were never sanctioned by tradition.
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.
