The Delta State Police Command has announced the arrest of five persons, including a community leader and an organiser of a local cultural festival in Ozoro, headquarters of Isoko North LGA, over the alleged sexual assault of women during an annual event that has triggered widespread public outrage.
The suspects include the community head and chief organiser of the Ozoro festival, identified as Chief Omorede Sunday, along with four others from the Oramudu quarters of Ozoro, police spokesperson Bright Edafe said on Friday.
Police announced the arrest on Friday, following wide outrage sparked off by a video showing an alleged public gang-rape over a led by men in red traditional attire. The victim was believed to be a student of the Delta State Polytechnic in Ozoro.
Various reports that surfaced on social media indicated that female students of the institutions were forced to hide in their hostels.
State police commissioner Aina Adesola has ordered their immediate transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further questioning, Edafe said in a statement posted on social media.
“The commissioner has directed a full investigation, and anyone found culpable will be arrested and brought to justice,” he said.
The arrests followed the circulation of videos online showing groups of young men allegedly attacking women during the festival on March 19. In the footage, some victims were seen being chased, forcibly stripped of clothing and subjected to various forms of harassment.
Local accounts suggested that some women may also have been raped, though police said such claims were yet to be officially confirmed.
Authorities condemned the incident, describing it as a serious violation of citizens’ rights. Edafe earlier said the police viewed the acts as “alarming, disgusting and embarrassing,” adding that cultural practices could not justify criminal behaviour.
The Delta state government also denounced the alleged assaults, with Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information Charles Aniagwu calling for the perpetrators to be identified and prosecuted.
“No individual or group should be allowed to hide under the guise of a festival to perpetrate criminal activities,” he said, urging organisers of cultural events to strengthen security arrangements to protect participants.
Officials said investigations were continuing and called on witnesses to provide useful information.
The incident has sparked intense debate on social media, with activists using the hashtag “Stop Raping Women” to demand swift action and stronger safeguards against gender-based violence in public spaces.
