Remi Tinubu Condemns Ozoro Festival Assault, Demands Prosecution of Perpetrators

Remi Tinubu Condemns Ozoro Festival Assault, Demands Prosecution of Perpetrators

Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu, has strongly condemned the reported physical and sexual assault of women and girls during the Alue-Do Festival in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, describing the incident as horrific, degrading, and barbaric.

In a personally signed statement released on Sunday, the First Lady said she was disturbed by viral videos circulating on social media showing women and girls being allegedly assaulted during the festival, which is traditionally meant to celebrate community culture and heritage.

She emphasized that while Nigeria’s diverse traditions are respected, no cultural practice justifies violence against women or the violation of their dignity and freedom.

“No such tradition or custom grants any man the right to violate the dignity or freedom of a woman or girl,” she stated.

The First Lady also commended the swift response of law enforcement agencies and urged authorities to ensure that all those involved are held accountable under the law. She further encouraged victims to seek both medical care and psychological support to aid their recovery.

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The Federal Government had earlier directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute all perpetrators following public outrage triggered by the circulation of the disturbing footage. The incident has since drawn widespread condemnation from civil society groups, government officials, and international observers.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the incident as unacceptable and a violation of human rights, calling for a transparent and accelerated investigation to ensure justice is delivered without delay. She also pledged coordinated support for victims, including legal assistance, healthcare, and psychosocial services.

Civil society organizations have also reacted strongly. ActionAid Nigeria condemned the incident as a breakdown in public safety and called on authorities to take decisive action. Similarly, BPW Nigeria described the assault as criminal, insisting that all perpetrators, facilitators, and enablers must be prosecuted.

The Delta State Police Command confirmed that at least 15 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident. According to police spokesperson SP Bright Edafe, the suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue.

Some of the individuals identified include Samson Atukpodo, Steven Ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, and Evidence Oguname, among others.

Authorities stated that preliminary findings suggest that criminal elements exploited the festival environment to carry out the assaults, clarifying that the acts do not represent the cultural values of the Ozoro community.

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Aina Adeshina, has reportedly directed a comprehensive investigation aimed at identifying all those involved and ensuring they are prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The incident has intensified national conversations around gender-based violence in Nigeria, cultural accountability, and the need for stronger safeguards at public events. Stakeholders continue to call for stricter enforcement of laws protecting women and girls, as well as improved community awareness to prevent similar occurrences.

Remi Tinubu Condemns Ozoro Festival Assault, Demands Prosecution of Perpetrators