Nigerian Police Make Arrests After Viral Assault Videos from Ozoro Festival

Mon Mar 23 2026 17:12:16 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Fifteen individuals have been detained by Nigerian authorities following widespread outrage sparked by videos showing alleged sexual assaults during the Alue-Do festival in Ozoro. The incident has ignited discussions on women's safety and accountability for gender-based violence in Nigeria.

In a swift response to viral videos depicting assaults on women at the Alue-Do festival in Delta State, Nigerian police have arrested 15 suspects. Despite claims of a 'rape festival', authorities have denied any formal reports of rape, highlighting the need for accountability regarding gender-based violence. The issue has led to public outcry, further fueled by the trending hashtag #StopRapingWomen on social media.

Police in Nigeria say 15 people have been arrested following allegations of sexual assault at a community festival in the southern Delta state.

Videos circulated online showed young men openly attacking women who were on their own. The clips sparked widespread anger, leading to the hashtag #StopRapingWomen to trend on social media, and renewed calls for accountability over gender-based violence.

Delta state police have rejected claims circulating online that the Alue-Do festival in Ozoro was a 'rape festival'.

Local spokesperson Bright Edafe told Channels TV on Monday that no formal report of rape had been made in connection with the festival.

The videos, taken during the Alue-Do fertility festival, depict groups of young men chasing, stripping, grabbing, and assaulting women in public spaces, often while others filmed.

The police spokesman described the scenes as 'alarming, disgusting and embarrassing', noting that several suspects identified from the videos had been arrested and transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Edafe stated, 'We have spoken to four girls and all of them said nobody raped them.'

Among those detained is a community leader identified as the organizer of the event.

Police investigations are ongoing, with some witnesses and activists reporting that women were warned not to go out during parts of the festival and that those seen outside were targeted.

These events raised concerns that sexual violence may have been organized or tolerated under the guise of tradition.

Rights groups emphasize that documented acts including forced stripping and public humiliation constitute serious gender-based violence under Nigerian law, irrespective of formal rape.

The King of Ozoro criticized allegations that the festival condoned sexual assault, labeling it a fertility rite misapplied by some youths. Traditional leaders admitted to harassment incidents but emphasized these acts are criminal, not cultural.

The Delta state government supported this view, asserting that no official festival permits sexual assault and any violence should be treated as a crime.

Nigeria's First Lady Oluremi Tinubu condemned the alleged assaults and called for the prosecution of all offenders. In a signed statement, she emphasized that no culture justifies violating women and girls, applauded the police for their recent actions, and encouraged victims to seek medical and psychological support.

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