Ozoro Festival Incident: Students Report Harassment, Not Rape — SUG President

Six female students reported being sexually harassed (not raped) by hoodlums who disrupted a traditional festival in Ozoro, prompting concern from community leaders who say measures will be taken to prevent future incidents.

Six female students of Southern Delta University in Delta State have reported being sexually harassed, not raped, during a recent traditional festival in Ozoro, according to the Students’ Union Government (SUG) president, Oribelua Precious. He explained that the union is still gathering details, but confirmed that the affected students have since returned home as the school is currently on break. Some of the victims also claimed that their belongings were stolen during the incident.

Similarly, the President-General of Ozoro Kingdom, Chief Berkeley Asiafa, denied reports of rape but acknowledged that some women were molested by hoodlums who disrupted the festival. He revealed that a few victims privately shared their experiences with the Delta State Commissioner of Police during a visit to the community.

Asiafa explained that the disturbance occurred during the Aluedo festival, a traditional event in Uruamudhu quarters aimed at addressing infertility and praying for community prosperity. According to him, after the chief priest completed rituals and began his procession, miscreants took advantage of the situation and began harassing women they found outside, especially those not meant to participate in the event.

He noted that only married women—or those seeking children—are traditionally allowed to take part in the festival. However, some youths allegedly targeted other women on the streets, leading to harassment. In one instance, a motorcyclist protected a female passenger from being attacked, while another woman reportedly had her clothes torn and money stolen before she was rescued.

The Managing Director of a local eatery, Mr. Djowah Ighenechovwen, confirmed that he and his staff helped rescue two young women from the attackers that evening, with assistance later arriving from community leaders and security personnel.

Reacting to the incident, an elderly community member, Pa Joseph Usikpedo, expressed shock, stating that such behavior had never been associated with the festival in the past. He described the Aluedo festival as a long-standing cultural practice meant to promote fertility and agricultural success, adding that the recent events were unusual and disappointing.

It was also gathered that the festival is not held annually but takes place based on spiritual guidance, sometimes every three to five years. Despite the incident, normal activities have resumed in the community, though many residents were initially hesitant to speak due to fear of possible repercussions.

Community members say the incident has served as a lesson, with assurances that stricter measures will be taken in future celebrations to prevent a recurrence.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, VANGUARD