Oluremi Tinubu condemns assault of women at Ozoro Delta festival

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has strongly condemned the assault of women and girls during a cultural festival in Ozoro, located in Isoko North LGA, Delta State, describing the incident as disturbing and unacceptable.

The incident, which occurred during the Alue-Do festival, sparked outrage after videos surfaced online showing young women being harassed and publicly humiliated by groups of men.

The footage triggered widespread condemnation across social media, raising concerns about safety and accountability during community events.

Outrage over viral footage

Reacting in a statement shared on her social media page, the First Lady said she watched the videos with deep concern, describing the scenes as “horrific” and degrading. She stressed that while Nigeria is rich in culture and tradition, no custom should be used as a justification for violating the rights and dignity of women.

According to her, cultural celebrations must not become platforms for abuse or exploitation, adding that respect for human dignity should remain paramount regardless of tradition.

She urged authorities to ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice, noting that acts of violence against women must not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Police arrests suspects, expand investigation

The Nigeria Police Force confirmed that multiple arrests have been made in connection with the incident. Initially, five suspects, including a community leader identified as Omorede Sunday, were taken into custody over allegations linked to the assault.

Subsequently, police authorities announced the arrest of 11 additional suspects as investigations widened, signalling an intensified effort to hold perpetrators accountable.

Mrs. Tinubu commended the police for their swift response but called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of all those involved. She also urged victims to seek medical and psychological support, acknowledging the trauma such experiences can cause.

The First Lady expressed solidarity with the affected individuals, offering prayers for their healing and recovery while reiterating the need for stronger protection of women and girls in all parts of the country.

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