Five suspects, including a prominent community head and the chief organiser of a local festival, have been arrested by the Delta State Police Command following alleged sexual assaults and harassment of women in Ozoro, Delta State. The arrests stem from disturbing videos that circulated widely on social media, showing young men attacking and assaulting women during a festival, sparking outrage across Nigeria.

The incident, which reportedly occurred during the "Alue-Do-Festival," also known as the "Festival of Fertility," involved multiple women being targeted for harassment outdoors. Unverified claims of rape have also emerged. The Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, identified one of the key suspects as Chief Omorede Sunday, the community head and chief organiser of the event. Mr. Edafe confirmed the arrest of Chief Sunday and four other suspects from Oramudu quarters in Ozoro. The Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, has ordered their immediate transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and vowed that all individuals involved would be apprehended and brought to justice.

Earlier reactions from the police described the incident as "alarming, disgusting and embarrassing," with Mr. Edafe emphasizing that "no custom or tradition is superior to the rights of citizens." He also noted that CP Aina Adesola had directed a comprehensive probe into the matter.

The federal government has also intervened, with Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, ordering the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators. In a statement, the Minister expressed deep concern over the reports, describing the incidents as "disturbing, unacceptable and contrary to human dignity, public safety and the rule of law." She reiterated that Nigeria's Constitution and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) provide clear protections against such offences, and that no cultural practice can justify sexual violence. Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim commended the Delta State Police's swift response and called for a "transparent, thorough, and accelerated investigation." She pledged the government's commitment to women's safety and announced collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs to provide victims with immediate support, including psychosocial care, medical attention, and legal assistance. Efforts will also be made to engage traditional leaders and community stakeholders to address harmful norms and prevent future occurrences.

The widespread condemnation from Nigerians on social media highlighted varying reactions. Activist Rinu Oduala criticized the police for a reactive approach, while others questioned the absence of law enforcement at such a crowded event and their reliance on social media for intelligence. However, some, like @onyia_ImageLB, commended the police investigation and urged disciplinary action against local Divisional Police Officers for inactivity, suggesting they couldn't claim ignorance. Calls were also made to proactively arrest youths traveling to evade justice and to process perpetrators through the judicial system, with @Only1Etuobo suggesting a minimum of life imprisonment.

Over 500 women’s rights organizations, united under the coalition Womanifesto, vehemently demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those involved, labelling the acts as a "grave violation of women's rights" and "organised and institutionalised abuse." Co-convener Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi stressed that these acts are not part of their culture and cannot be justified by any tradition, affirming that Nigeria's 1999 Constitution and the VAPP Act protect citizens' dignity and freedom from inhumane treatment. Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, strongly condemned the "horrifying and reprehensible" incidents, advocating for "zero impunity" and thorough prosecution of every man involved. Abdullahi also criticized the Delta State Government for its "failure of moral leadership" due to the governor's perceived silence, choosing to communicate through aides instead of directly addressing the matter. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) also joined the chorus of condemnation, urging authorities to act decisively and ensuring that cultural events do not lead to harm.

Comedian and actor Freedom Atsepoyi, popularly known as Mr Jollof, expressed profound shame as a Deltan, describing the incident as "barbaric," especially during women's month. He called on the Delta State government to urgently address the situation and ensure justice, questioning how parents could feel safe sending their daughters to schools in Ozoro given such occurrences. While one report mentioned the Delta State Government denying claims of such a festival existing, the consensus among reports and condemnations points to a festival being the backdrop for these egregious acts. Authorities continue efforts to identify and prosecute all responsible parties, urging public cooperation in the ongoing investigation.