Nigerian Government Orders Arrest Of Perpetrators Of S£xual Assau!t, Str!pping Of Women In Ozoro
Nigerian Government Orders Arrest Of Perpetrators Of Sexual Assault, Stripping Of Women In Ozoro
Sulaiman-Ibrahim expressed deep concern over reports that women were subjected to sexual assault and harassment during activities in Isoko North Local Government Area.
The Nigerian government has ordered the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of alleged sexual assault linked to a local festival in Ozoro community, Delta State.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, gave the directive in a statement signed by the ministry’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Ahmed Danbazau, in Abuja.
The directive followed the viral circulation of a video on social media on Thursday alleging incidents of sexual assaults during the Alue-Do-Festival, regarded as the “Festival of Fertility” in Ozoro Kingdom.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim expressed deep concern over reports that women were subjected to sexual assault and harassment during activities in Isoko North Local Government Area.
While commending the swift response of the Delta State Police Command, she called for “a transparent, thorough, and accelerated investigation to ensure that all persons implicated are identified and brought to justice without delay.”
She described the incidents as disturbing, unacceptable, and contrary to human dignity, public safety, and the rule of law, noting that the Constitution and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) provide clear protections against such offences.
“No cultural or traditional practice can justify or excuse sexual violence in any form. Sexual assault is a serious criminal offence, and all allegations must be thoroughly investigated, with perpetrators held fully accountable under the law,” she said.
While commending the swift response of the Delta State Police Command, she called for “a transparent, thorough, and accelerated investigation to ensure that all persons implicated are identified and brought to justice without delay.”
She described the incidents as disturbing, unacceptable, and contrary to human dignity, public safety, and the rule of law, noting that the Constitution and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) provide clear protections against such offences.
“No cultural or traditional practice can justify or excuse sexual violence in any form. Sexual assault is a serious criminal offence, and all allegations must be thoroughly investigated, with perpetrators held fully accountable under the law,” she said.
According to the minister, sexual assault remains a serious criminal offence that must be thoroughly investigated, with all perpetrators brought to justice. She therefore reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prioritise the safety, dignity, and protection of women and girls.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the ministry would strengthen collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs to provide immediate support for victims, including psychosocial care, medical attention, and legal assistance.
SaharaReporters reported that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) earlier condemned the alleged sexual assault and public humiliation of women during a recent festival in Ozoro, Delta State, describing the incident as a “national disgrace” and evidence of a “collapse of conscience.”
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, alongside the Chairperson of the NBA Women’s Forum, Huwaila Muhammad, the association decried what it called barbaric acts carried out under the guise of cultural celebration.
“A society reveals its true character in how it treats its women,” the statement read.
“Where women are chased, stripped, groped, violated, and publicly humiliated by mobs under the guise of celebration, what is on display is not culture. It is barbarity. It is a collapse of conscience. It is a stain on our shared humanity.”
According to the NBA, reports from the festival indicated that women were attacked in broad daylight by groups of young men.
“They were accosted, forcefully stripped of their clothing, sexually assaulted, and subjected to degrading treatment while others watched, recorded, and, in some instances, cheered,” the association had stated.
