Nigerian Police Detain 15 Amid Outcry Over Alleged Sexual Assaults at Festival

Mon Mar 23 2026 17:14:13 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Nigerian police have arrested 15 people following viral videos that exposed alleged sexual assaults against women during the Alue-Do festival in Ozoro, Delta state. Activists are demanding justice and accountability in the wake of these troubling incidents, which have led to a nationwide trend of the hashtag #StopRapingWomen.

Police in Nigeria have arrested 15 individuals after videos surfaced documenting alleged sexual assaults at the Alue-Do festival in Ozoro, Delta state. The footage has triggered widespread outrage and a social media outcry under the hashtag #StopRapingWomen. Nonetheless, local authorities insist that no formal complaints of rape were registered, even as activists raise concerns about the incidents and call for justice.

The police in Nigeria have apprehended 15 suspects following alarming allegations of sexual assault during a community festival in the southern Delta state. The incident gained notoriety after videos went viral, depicting groups of young men attacking women in public spaces. This has triggered widespread outrage and led to the trending hashtag #StopRapingWomen on social media, amplifying discussions surrounding gender-based violence.

Despite the videos surfacing during the Alue-Do fertility festival held in Ozoro, authorities dismissed claims suggesting the festival was a 'rape festival'. Bright Edafe, a local police spokesperson, stated that no formal reports of rape were linked to the event.

The disturbing videos document numerous instances where women were chased, stripped, and assaulted publicly, often with bystanders filming the incidents rather than intervening. The police described these scenes as "alarming, disgusting, and embarrassing", culminating in the swift arrest of alleged perpetrators identified in the footage.

Witness accounts suggest that some women were warned against venturing out during specific festival periods, raising suspicions that such acts of violence could be systematic or tolerated under the guise of tradition. Activists have consequently stressed that even if rape is not confirmed, the recorded actions qualify as serious gender-based violence under Nigerian law.

Amidst this turmoil, traditional leaders clarified that while instances of harassment occurred, no rape had been substantiated, asserting that such actions do not represent the cultural practices of this festival. The state's government reiterated that all forms of violence should be condemned as criminal acts, regardless of the context.

Nigeria's First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, with personal ties to Delta state, has also condemned the reported assaults, calling for thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible. Her response highlighted the necessity for victims to seek medical and psychological assistance.

As the investigation continues, there are rising demands for accountability and preventive measures against gender-based violence in Nigeria.