The police in Nigeria have announced the arrest of 15 individuals following allegations of sexual assault during a community festival in Delta state. Footage circulated online showed young men attacking women, prompting widespread anger and the trending of the hashtag #StopRapingWomen on social media, highlighting the ongoing issue of gender-based violence in the country.
Despite the outcry, Delta State police have refuted claims that the Alue-Do festival, held in Ozoro, was a 'rape festival,' insisting that no formal reports of rape were associated with the event. Police spokesperson Bright Edafe stated in an interview that they had spoken to several victims who all denied having been raped.
The disturbing videos from the festival depicted groups of young men chasing, stripping, and assaulting women in public spaces while bystanders filmed the incidents. Edafe described these actions as 'alarming, disgusting, and embarrassing,' leading to the arrest of several individuals identified in the footage.
Among those arrested was a community leader believed to be affiliated with the festival's organization. The investigation is ongoing, with police continuing to gather information from witnesses and activists. There are reports from residents that women were warned against attending certain parts of the festival to avoid being targeted.
This incident has raised concerns that sexual violence may be tolerated or even organized under the guise of traditional practices. Rights advocates stress that even if rape did not occur, the actions documented in the videos, including forced stripping and public humiliation, still fall under severe gender-based violence as defined by Nigerian law.
Despite the controversy, the King of Ozoro defended the festival, alleging that it serves a cultural purpose but has been misrepresented by some youths engaging in improper behaviour. Traditional leaders, alongside government officials, have emphasized that no lawful festival condones sexual assault and have urged that any incidents of violence be treated as criminal acts.
Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, condemned the alleged assaults and called on security agencies to take decisive action against the perpetrators. She highlighted that no cultural justification exists for the violation of women's rights and emphasized the importance of medical and psychological support for victims.
