By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Delta State Police Command on Friday, March 20, said it had begun probe into a viral video showing scenes of alleged sexual assault involving several women in what is called a ‘raping festival’ in Ozoro, a community in Delta State.
This came as Nigerians expressed outrage over the viral video, wondering what type of culture would subject women to such a humiliation.
The footage, which circulated widely on social media on Friday, March 20, captured groups of young men attacking women seen in public, forcefully tearing their clothes, and subjecting them to various forms of molestation.
According to reports, the incident occurred on Thursday, March 19, during an annual festival in the community, where women are allegedly expected to remain indoors.
It was claimed that any woman found outside during the event becomes a target for harassment by participants.
Others further claimed that some victims may have been raped in addition to being molested, though these allegations have not yet been officially confirmed.
The state police command, in a statement through its Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, described the incident as “alarming, disgusting, and embarrassing.”
Edafe said the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, had ordered a probe into the matter, assuring that the perpetrators would be arrested and brought to justice.
“This is alarming, disgusting, and embarrassing. The CP has ordered an investigation into the incident. The command condemns this in totality. No custom or tradition is superior to the rights of citizens.
“The Commissioner of Police, Delta State, Aina Adesola, urges Deltans to remain calm while assuring that those responsible for this barbaric act will be arrested and brought to justice,” the command said.
Reacting to the footage, some Nigerians took to social media to condemn the alleged act and called on authorities to arrest the perpetrators.
On X (formerly Twitter), @Wizrab10 wrote, “There is no such thing as a raping festival. That is not culture. Any sexual practice that removes the right of women to be willing participants is not culture. That is simply gang rape and sexual assault. The police need to pack everybody involved if they are not also involved in this madness.
“Culture is not absolute. Man-made culture. Therefore, man can undo it. Any culture that is repugnant to natural justice, equity, and good conscience is not binding. Any culture that is incompatible with extant Nigerian laws is not binding. Any culture that contravenes public policy is not binding.
“This nonsense behaviour is not culture. It is a man-made excuse to violate women. Arrest everybody.”
@preciousawaSMM added, “In the 21st century, what kind of festival allows or even tolerates the open sexual harassment of women in public spaces? Treating such a serious issue so carelessly is unacceptable. If something like this happened up North, many would quickly blame it on religion or culture. Yet here we see the same disregard for women’s safety and dignity.
“Those responsible need to be identified, held accountable, and made to face the full force of the law. This kind of behaviour is shameful and must end.”
@akindology tweeted, “It is criminal. No woman should ever be treated like that. These videos should be used as tools by the police to identify and pick up all those involved.”
On Facebook, Chinenye Nweke wrote, “Hundreds of men!!! Not one person said no. Not one person said, ‘let’s not do this.’ Are these not the men who come online to cry, ‘not all men’?”
James Ogunjimi said, “Seen people asking, “this is still happening in 2026?” As how? Even in the 90s, rape festival should be a travesty. An abomination. Something a country that has good leadership should have made impossible to exist.
“Everyone involved in that madness should be jailed. Not just the direct perpetrators on the streets, but also those who organised this madness. It shouldn’t be treated as an isolated occurrence…”
Yakubu Oyiza Hope also wrote, “You know what pisses me off about the videos I have seen? Not even one man; I mean, not even one stood to protect any of the girls. They were all laughing and rushing after these girls. Not even 1!!! STOP RAPING WOMEN.”
She further added, “Women have seen it all. It’s no longer “What was she wearing?” Now, it’s a full-blown festival to RAPE US.”
