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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
ActionAid Nigeria has fiercely condemned the “disturbing and unacceptable” public assaults on women and girls at a recent cultural festival in Ozoro, Delta State, rejecting any efforts to minimise the violence as mere tradition.
In a statement signed by Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, the organisation stressed that violence against women and girls must never be justified under any guise. “This is not a matter of misinterpretation,” the organisation stated. “Women and girls were subjected to abuse in full public view, and such actions demand accountability.”
It warned that the incident reflects deeper systemic issues surrounding gender-based violence, including harmful social norms and weak enforcement mechanisms that allow perpetrators to act with impunity.
It further noted that normalising or trivialising such behaviour only increases the risk to women and girls. Nigeria’s National Gender Policy already mandates protections in public spaces, yet enforcement remains patchy, with Delta State reporting over 500 GBV cases last year alone, per police data.
ActionAid Nigeria called on Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, to take decisive action by ensuring that security agencies swiftly identify and prosecute all those involved. It also urged the state government to publicly disclose steps taken, including arrests and prosecution outcomes, as a demonstration of zero tolerance for gender-based violence.
The organisation further demanded accountability from security agencies, questioning the apparent lapses that allowed the incidents to occur without timely intervention. It emphasised the need for proactive measures to prevent such occurrences rather than reactive responses.
In addition, ActionAid Nigeria appealed to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs to provide immediate, coordinated support for survivors. Recommended interventions include access to medical care, psychosocial services, legal assistance, and safe reporting channels, while ensuring protection from stigma.
The group stressed that the incident highlights ongoing gaps in safeguarding women and girls in public and cultural settings and called for a broader review of practices within the Ozoro community that may endanger women.
Reaffirming its commitment, ActionAid Nigeria said it stands in solidarity with the victims and will continue to advocate for the protection, rights, and dignity of women and girls across the country.
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What began as a celebration of the community’s New Yam traditions devolved into a stark display of gender-based violence, demanding unyielding accountability.
The footage, shared widely since last weekend, shows mobs of young men targeting female attendees—some as young as teenagers—with sticks, belts, and bare fists amid chaotic festival grounds.
Eyewitness accounts describe screams echoing as women fled into crowds, only to be pursued and assaulted without intervention from nearby security.
This isn’t isolated; similar incidents have marred past Ozoro festivals, where a ritualistic “chasing” of women has been defended by some locals as harmless fun, but critics argue it perpetuates deep-seated misogyny.
The Delta State Government, through a spokesperson for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, responded swiftly on Friday, condemning the assaults as “inexcusable and contrary to our values of peace and respect.” The statement announced the deployment of a joint police and vigilante task force to Ozoro to apprehend suspects, with promises of “speedy prosecution” and a review of festival security protocols.
“No cultural event will shield violence against women,” the governor’s office affirmed, pledging support for affected victims.
Federal Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, slammed the Ozoro assaults as a grave violation, insisting that “no cultural or traditional practice can justify or excuse sexual violence in any form.”
She invoked the Constitution and Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act), highlighting Section 1’s blanket prohibition on violence, Section 14’s criminalisation of harmful traditions, and Section 15’s ban on cruel treatment.
“Sexual assault is a serious criminal offence, and all allegations must be thoroughly investigated, with perpetrators held fully accountable under the law,” she stated, tying the incident to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda against gender-based violence. The minister commended Delta State Police Commissioner CP Aina Adesola’s swift action and demanded a “transparent, thorough, and accelerated investigation”.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim prioritised victim support, pledging intensified collaboration with Delta’s Ministry of Women Affairs for psychosocial care, medical attention, and legal aid to restore dignity and confidence. Looking ahead, her ministry will engage traditional leaders and communities to dismantle harmful norms, ensuring culture promotes respect rather than violence.
She urged public cooperation with investigations: “Collective vigilance and cooperation are essential to ensuring that justice is not only done, but seen to be done and that such incidents are decisively prevented in the future.” “The Federal Government… continues to prioritise the safety, dignity, and protection of women and girls, ensuring that no victim is silenced, ignored, or denied justice,” she affirmed.
