Ozoro Horror: Female Students Flee Varsity Over Fear of Fresh Attacks
Following the assault of several women and female students during a traditional festival in Ozoro, the headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, panic has gripped the community.
Many students are reportedly fleeing over fears of further attacks.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that the situation arose in the aftermath of the controversial ‘Alue-Do’ festival. Viral videos from the event showed young women being chased, stripped, and assaulted by groups of youths, sparking nationwide outrage.
A student leader in the community, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH, disclosed that many female students, still traumatised by the incident, had begun leaving the area to avoid potential violence.
“Most female students in the community are scared, especially after being told the festival would last for seven days. Many left early this morning, while others continued to leave throughout the day,” the source said.
He added that the atmosphere remains tense, with growing anxiety among residents and students, particularly due to uncertainty surrounding the duration of the festival and the possibility of a recurrence.
The student leader further alleged that some university students were among those who participated in the assault, describing the situation as deeply troubling.
“It is not only indigenes who were involved. Some students also took part, which is the most painful aspect. It reflects the level of moral decay in our society, the education system, and human behaviour as a whole,” he said.
He insisted that all perpetrators should be treated as criminals, regardless of their status, and called for their immediate arrest and prosecution.
While clarifying that no cases of rape had been confirmed among the affected students, he noted that some victims received hospital treatment for assault.
“Sexual assault is a serious offence that violates the dignity of women. We will not condone such acts,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command has arrested 11 additional suspects in connection with the incident, bringing the total number of arrests to 15. Earlier, a community leader, Omorede Sunday, and four others had been taken into custody.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, said the arrests were made by the CP Special Assignment Team on the directive of Commissioner of Police Aina Adesola.
Edafe explained that a detailed review of video footage and intelligence reports led to the identification and arrest of suspects, including Samson Atukpodo, Steven Ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, and Evidence Oguname.
He emphasised that preliminary investigations indicate the attacks were carried out by criminal elements who exploited the festival to perpetrate violence, stressing that such acts are not part of any recognised cultural practice.
“The Commissioner of Police condemns these acts in totality and assures the public that all those involved will be identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Edafe stated.
The incident, captured in widely circulated videos, has triggered widespread outrage across the country. The Nigerian Bar Association described the development as a “national disgrace.”
In a statement signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, and the Chairperson of the NBA Women Forum, Huwaila Muhammad, the association stated:
“A society reveals its true character in how it treats its women. Where women are chased, stripped, violated, and publicly humiliated under the guise of celebration, what is on display is not culture but barbarity.”
The association stressed that no cultural justification can excuse violence against women and urged the Delta State Government and law enforcement agencies to ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice.
Similarly, the Nigeria Federation of Business and Professional Women has petitioned Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to suspend all traditional rulers in Ozoro, accusing them of failing to prevent the violence.
The group also called for an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the incident and determine the role of traditional authorities.