Delta state police command says the Ozoro festival was not a rape festival and there has been no official reports that anyone was raped during the festival.
Last week, social media was awashed with reactions, mostly condemning barbaric scenes of young men groping ladies all in the name of a festival in the area.
In swift response, the state police command confirmed the arrest of some persons, including a chief in the town, promising to bring perpetrators to justice.
However in an interview today Police PRO, Delta State, Bright Edafe, stated that contrary to news making the rounds, the festival was not a rape festival and no one has confirmed that they were raped during the festival.
Edafe noted that it was a regular festival for cleansing and prayers for expecting mothers, but the organisers failed to inform appropriate authorities before proceeding with the rights.
Ozoro festival: Among the four girls interviewed yesterday, no one said they were raped. Up to this moment, we’ve not had any official reports that anyone was raped.
— Bright Edafe, Police PRO, Delta State#CTVMorningBrief pic.twitter.com/r4z1GOVusi
— Channels Television (@channelstv) March 23, 2026
Earlier, the President-General of the Ozoro Progress Union, Asiafa Berkeley said the youths acted on their own accord, insisting that nobody gave them permission to carry out the acts.
He, however, denied that the festival is a rape festival, explaining that it is meant to be used to pray for women seeking the fruit of the womb.
According to the community leader, young unmarried women are not supposed to come out at a certain time during the festival.
Berkeley disclosed that the king has called for a meeting to take place before the end of the week, hinting that some of these community festivals have to be reviewed.
