…Say rape, molestation are crimes, not culture
•Council chairman vows to fish out perpetrators
By Ochuko Akuopha & Gabriel Ewepu
OZORO-OUTRAGE has continued to trail disturbing viral videos from Ozoro, headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, showing alleged harassment and sexual assault of women and girls during a recent cultural festival, as stakeholders demand swift justice.
The videos, which have sparked nationwide anger, show groups of youths allegedly chasing, harassing and molesting women in public spaces, with some victims seen crying and calling for help.
The Chairman of Isoko Development Union, IDU; Prof Chris Akpitu; Founder of Deacon Chris Iyovwaye Foundation, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye; Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area, Prince Godwin Ogorugba; and Action Aid Nigeria, AAN, were among those who strongly condemned the incident, yesterday, with Ogorugba vowing to arrest and prosecute the culprits.
Rape, molestation are crimes, not culture – Iyovwaye
Reacting, Iyovwaye said no tradition or festival can justify criminality or violation of human dignity and described the incident as barbaric, shameful and unacceptable.
“What we have seen from Ozoro is deeply disturbing. No society that values humanity and progress can tolerate such lawlessness. Rape and molestation are crimes, not culture.”
He noted that law enforcement agencies have already condemned the development and commenced investigations, stressing that no custom supersedes the rights and safety of citizens.
Demands arrest, stronger community control
The cleric called for immediate arrest and prosecution of all those involved, as well as thorough investigation to ensure justice for victims.
He also advocated stronger supervision during festivals and reorientation of youths towards discipline and respect.
“Our festivals should celebrate our heritage, not become avenues for violence and abuse. The dignity of our women must never be compromised under any circumstance.”
Iyovwaye further urged traditional rulers, community leaders and parents to take decisive steps to prevent recurrence, warning that the moral fabric of society must be protected.
ActionAid backs calls, seeks gov’s intervention
Similarly, ActionAid Nigeria, condemned what it described as “disturbing incidents of violence against women and girls.”
In a statement signed by its Country Director, Dr Andrew Mamedu, the organisation said the development reflects “a grave failure to guarantee safety and dignity in a communal space.”
“While efforts have been made in some quarters to minimise these events or frame them as a misinterpretation of cultural practices, ActionAid Nigeria stresses that violence against women and girls must never be trivialised, justified, or explained away under any circumstance.
“Regardless of how such actions are described, the reality remains that women and girls were subjected to abuse in full public view, and this demands accountability.”
‘Not isolated, reflects systemic failure’
Mamedu warned that the incident points to deeper systemic issues of gender-based violence.
“This incident is not isolated. It points to deeper, systemic issues of gender-based violence, where harmful norms, silence, and weak enforcement create conditions that allow such violations to occur.
“When acts of harassment and assault are normalised or downplayed, it reinforces a culture of impunity and further endangers women and girls.”
Call for arrests, prosecution, victim support
ActionAid Nigeria demanded urgent identification and prosecution of perpetrators through a transparent process.
“All individuals involved in these acts must be urgently identified and brought to book through a transparent and credible process that delivers justice and restores public confidence.”
The organisation also called on Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to ensure swift and decisive action by security agencies.
“The Governor must also ensure full public disclosure of actions taken, including arrests and prosecution outcomes, and demonstrate zero tolerance for gender-based violence in both policy and practice.”
Support for victims, institutional reforms
ActionAid further urged the Federal and Delta State Ministries of Women Affairs to provide survivor-centred support, including medical care, psychosocial services and legal assistance.
“Survivors must be protected from stigma and supported to seek justice without fear.”
It stressed that the incident highlights urgent gaps in safeguarding women in public and cultural spaces.
“Addressing gender-based violence requires deliberate, sustained action across institutions, communities, and leadership structures. Ozoro kingdom needs to do better and review the cultural practices that harm women and girls.”
Nationwide concern
As outrage spreads, stakeholders insist the Ozoro incident must serve as a turning point in tackling sexual violence, enforcing accountability and restoring public confidence in community safety.
Iyovwaye, while expressing sympathy for victims, urged Nigerians to unite against all forms of abuse and lawlessness, reaffirming his commitment to promoting justice, respect and human dignity.
We’ll fish out perpetrators
—Council chairman
Chairman of Isoko North LGA, Prince Godwin Ogorugba, described the incident at the council headquarters as inhumane, disheartening, and totally unacceptable.
Ogorugba in a statement, said some disgruntled elements masquerading as youths in Ozoro and hiding under the guise of the kingdom’s festival on Thursday molested, harassed and assaulted women.
He vowed to go after perpetrators of the condemnable and barbaric act and have them prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others in the land.
“It is disheartening that young people, who should represent the pride and future of our society, would engaged in acts that degrade and violate the dignity of women, our mothers and sisters for just no cause.
“No cultural or social activity justifies, any form of molestation, harassment, intimidation and misconduct. Every individual, indigene or non-indigenes deserves to be treated with respect, dignity and protected under the law. Not under my watch should this barbaric take place,” he said.
Ogorugba however called for calm and urged residents to exercise restraint and allow the law to take its course, warning that Isoko North under his administration would not tolerate any act that undermines public safety, decency, and human dignity.
It’s a condemnable aberration —IDU
Similarly, Isoko Development Union, IDU, the apex socio- cultural organisation of the Isoko nation described the incident as an aberration that should not be celebrated in any form. President General of the Isoko Development Union, IDU, Prof. Chris Akpotu, said the Isoko people are known for their traditional values that they hold in high esteem.
He said the act of harassment of women would never be tolerated, stressing that “anybody found involved in that, apart from our traditional approach for handling that, the perpetrators must equally face the wrath of the law and if found wanting, they should be dealt with.”
The post Delta Festival Outrage: Isoko Nation, Iyovwaye, ActionAid demand justice over sexual assault against young women in Ozoro appeared first on Vanguard News.
