Claims of rape and sexual assault involving women, including female students of Southern Delta University, Ozoro, during a festival known as Alue Do, have provoked widespread outrage.
The disturbing and condemnable incident came to light after videos showing two young women being pursued and harassed by youths in Uruamudhu community, Ozoro Kingdom, surfaced online.
The clips, which have sparked intense criticism on social media, attracted strong reactions from student leaders and the Delta State government, even as community authorities denied allegations of rape.
It was gathered that several students declined to attend lectures out of fear they might be sexually harassed.
In a statement dated March 19, 2026, the President of the Student Union Government (SUG) of Southern Delta University, Precious Augustine described the incidents as “criminal, barbaric, and evil.”
“I am speaking not just as the SUG President, but as a voice for every student who has been harassed, molested, and violated,” the statement partly read.
The SUG President said circulating reports and videos showed female students “being chased, assaulted, and in some cases raped under the guise of a cultural practice known as Alue-Do.”
Rejecting any cultural justification for the act, the union leader said: “Rape is not culture. Harassment is not tradition. Violence against women will never be justified.”
According to the statement, the incidents amounted to “organised lawlessness and abuse,” with victims reportedly subjected to “physical assault, molestation, and the tearing of their clothes.
“We will not tolerate a situation where students live in fear in an environment meant for education. We will not fold our arms while our sisters are violated.”
Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area of the state, Prince Godwin Ogorugba, condemned the incident, describing it as “inhumane, mundane and totally unacceptable.”
Ogorugba vowed to pursue the perpetrators of the condemnable act and ensure they are prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others in the land.
Ogorugba stated that security agencies were already examining the videos circulating on social media to identify the individuals masquerading as youths who carried out the dastardly act against women during the kingdom’s festival.
The council chairman, while expressing disappointment over the act, said there was no official notification or approval from community leadership for any such festival, making the situation even more disturbing.
“It is disheartening that young people, who should represent the pride and future of our society, would engage in acts that degrade and violate the dignity of women, our mothers and sisters for just no cause.
“No cultural or social activity justifies any form of molestation, harassment, intimidation and misconduct. Every individual, indigene or non-indigenes deserves to be treated with respect, dignity and protected under the law. Not under my watch should this barbaric act take place,” Ogorugba stated
He, however, called for calm and urged residents to exercise restraint and allow the law to take its course, warning that Isoko North under his administration would not tolerate any act that undermines public safety, decency, and human dignity.”
The state Government also condemned the development.
“The Delta State Government strongly condemns the harassment of ladies and the reported cases of rape during the Ozoro Festival. Such barbaric acts are totally unacceptable and have no place in our society,” said the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu.
He added: “We are calling on the police and other security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to justice. No individual or group should be allowed to hide under the guise of a festival to perpetrate criminal activities.”
Community denies allegations
Clarifying that the situation had been misrepresented on social media, President General of Ozoro, Odio Berkeley Asiafa, said the reports claiming rape and widespread atrocities occurred during the festival were false and misleading, stating that the incident involved the harassment of two young women by individuals who took advantage of the occasion to behave irresponsibly.”
Explaining the festival, the community in a statement said: “The Alue-Do Festival is traditionally regarded as a festival of fertility. It is widely believed to be a cultural practice that brings blessings of children to individuals or couples experiencing difficulty in childbirth.”
It added that the festival involved “the act of playfully dragging and pouring sand on married individuals who are yet to have children,” but admitted that “some youths misinterpreted and misapplied this cultural practice in a negative and unacceptable manner, leading to the harassment of some young women.”
“The leadership of Ozoro Kingdom strongly condemns any form of harassment or misconduct. Such behavior is not part of our culture and traditions and will not be tolerated,” the statement added.
Two former students of Southern Delta University told this newspaper that there was no record of such a festival during their time studying at the institution.
The duo, Lauretta and Blessing, speaking separately on telephone, described the development as “strange” and “shocking”.
Police arrest community leader, five others
The Delta State Police Command yesterday condemned the incident. The Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, described the acts as criminal, inhumane, and a grave violation of victims’ rights, ordering an immediate, full-scale investigation.
Police confirmed the arrest of the alleged chief organiser, Omorede Sunday, along with five others.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), with tactical teams deployed to track and apprehend all suspects.
The Command urged victims and witnesses to come forward, assuring confidentiality, and reaffirmed its commitment to prosecute all those involved.
The spokesman, Bright Edafe, said the Command remains resolute in protecting lives and upholding the rule of law.
