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From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
Ozoro, the headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, was on Thursday evening enveloped in chaos as some irate youths allegedly assaulted several women during a community festival.
Several videos that have since gone viral on social media show some youths allegedly celebrating their sexual encounters with women at a’strange festival’.
While some mobs were dragging and attempting to strip the women, mainly young girls seen on the road, in a bid to rape them, others were trying to rescue them from the scene.
Reports say women are not expected to be seen outside during the period of the festival as a tradition, but at this year’s event, no formal guidance was released for the female folks to stay indoors, a development which allegedly allowed some youths, hiding under the guise of the kingdom’s festival, to molest, harass, and assault several women.
In a statement obtained by our correspondent on Friday, the Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, Hon. (Elder) Prince Godwin Ogorugba, while expressing disappointment over the act, stated that there was no official notification or approval from community leadership for any such festival, making the incident even more troubling.
He condemned the act as barbaric and unacceptable, saying it is sacrilegious and barbaric for the youths to hide under any guise to molest and assault harmless and innocent women during the kingdom’s festival.
“The act is unacceptable, shameful, and completely at variance with the customs and values of the Isoko people,” he said.
Ogorugba stated that security agencies are already scrutinising the videos circulating on social media to identify the individuals masquerading as youths who carried out the dastardly act against women during the kingdom’s festival.
“It is disheartening that young people, who should represent the pride and future of our society, would engage in acts that degrade and violate the dignity of women, our mothers and sisters, for no just cause.
“No cultural or social activity justifies any form of molestation, harassment, intimidation and misconduct. Every individual, indigene or non-indigene deserves to be treated with respect, dignity and protected under the law. Not under my watch should this barbaric act take place.
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“We are a peaceful and accommodating people, but we will not allow a few individuals to tarnish the image of our land. This unfortunate incident must serve as a lesson, and such behaviour will not be condoned under any circumstances,” the council chairman warned.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has strongly condemned the reported harassment and assault of women during the recent Ozoro festival, describing the incident as barbaric and unacceptable.
In a statement issued on Friday, the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, said the government was deeply disturbed by reports of women being harassed and, in some cases, sexually assaulted under the guise of festival activities.
Aniagwu stressed that the state government frowns on any act that violates the dignity and rights of women, noting that cultural celebrations must never be used as a cover for criminality.
“The Delta State Government strongly condemns the harassment of ladies and the reported cases of rape during the Ozoro festival. Such barbaric acts are totally unacceptable and have no place in our society,” he said.
He called on security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police, to urgently investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible are identified, apprehended, and prosecuted.
“We are calling on the police and other security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to justice. No individual or group should be allowed to hide under the guise of a festival to perpetrate criminal activities,” Aniagwu added.
The commissioner further assured residents that the state government remains committed to protecting the rights and safety of all citizens, especially women and vulnerable groups.
He also urged community leaders and organisers of cultural festivals across the state to put in place adequate measures to safeguard participants and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
The government reiterated its zero tolerance for gender-based violence and warned that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
