‘Rape Festival’ in Delta: Police Arrest Village Head of Ozoro, 17 Others Over Alleged Involvement
By Raheem Ibrahim
Investigations into the reported “rape festival” in Delta State have taken a new turn, as the police have arrested the village head of Ozoro community and 17 others over their alleged involvement in the act.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed in a statement that the community head and about 17 youths who allegedly participated in the reprehensible act have been arrested and detained.
According to Edafe, “The Delta State Police Command is still compiling evidence with a view to arresting more suspects, and all perpetrators will be prosecuted accordingly in court.”
It would be recalled that the alleged “rape festival” came to public attention following reports that, during a local event in the community, young women sighted were publicly assaulted, stripped, and sexually violated, with several female students of Delta State University, Ozoro, reportedly affected.
Edafe stated: “The Delta State Police Command has received with grave concern disturbing videos from Oramudu Quarters, Ozoro, capturing the sexual assault and molestation of young women in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area, during a purported local event. The Command unequivocally condemns such acts in their entirety.
“Acts of sexual violence are criminal, inhumane, and constitute a grave violation of the fundamental rights and dignity of victims. Upon receipt of the disturbing videos, the Commissioner of Police ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. The chief organiser, one Chief Omorede Sunday, and four other suspects have been arrested,” he added.
He further noted: “Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, has ordered that the case be immediately transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation. Tactical and investigative assets have been deployed with a clear mandate to identify, apprehend, and prosecute all individuals found culpable.”
“The Command urges members of the public, particularly victims and witnesses, to come forward with any information that will aid ongoing investigations. All information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality and the highest level of professionalism.”
Edafe added that the Commissioner of Police appealed to residents to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding, assuring that the Command remains fully committed to protecting lives, safeguarding citizens’ rights, and maintaining public order.
“The Delta State Police Command condemns this development in totality and assures that all those involved in these reprehensible acts will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he said.
Providing further updates, Edafe said: “Following earlier reports on the alleged incidents in Oramudu Quarters, the Command wishes to update the public on recent developments in the ongoing investigation. In line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) was tasked with conducting a detailed investigation.
“Acting on this directive, operatives of CP-SAT conducted a thorough analysis of available video evidence and intelligence, leading to the arrest of 11 additional suspects, including Samson Atukpodo, Steven Ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, and six others. These arrests bring the total number of suspects currently in custody to 15.”
He added that preliminary findings indicate that the incident was carried out by criminal elements who exploited the situation to perpetrate acts of sexual violence, stressing that such actions are not representative of any legitimate cultural practice.
“The Command again encourages victims and witnesses to come forward with credible information that will aid ongoing investigations. All information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality,” he assured.
