ActionAid Nigeria has condemned the reported assault and harassment of women and girls during a cultural festival in Ozoro, calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, the Country Director of the organisation, Andrew Mamedu, described the incident as a grave violation of human dignity and a reflection of persistent gender-based violence in society. He cited disturbing videos circulating on social media showing women and girls being chased, harassed, and assaulted in public spaces, noting that the situation underscores a failure to guarantee safety during community events.
The organisation cautioned against attempts to justify or trivialise the incidents on cultural grounds, stressing that no tradition or festival should serve as a cover for violence.
“Violence against women and girls must never be trivialised or justified under any circumstance,” the statement said, adding that the public nature of the abuse demands accountability.
ActionAid Nigeria noted that the incident reflects a broader pattern in which harmful social norms, silence, and weak enforcement enable gender-based violence to persist, often without consequences for perpetrators. It warned that downplaying such acts risks reinforcing impunity and exposing more women and girls to harm.
The group called on the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, to ensure that law enforcement agencies promptly identify, arrest, and prosecute those involved. It also urged the state government to publicly disclose actions taken, including arrests and prosecution outcomes, to rebuild public confidence and demonstrate zero tolerance for such offences.
Furthermore, the organisation demanded accountability from security agencies over any lapses that allowed the incident to occur without immediate intervention, emphasising their responsibility to both prevent and respond to violence.
ActionAid Nigeria also appealed to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs to provide urgent support to victims, including medical care, psychosocial services, legal assistance, and safe reporting mechanisms.
The organisation urged traditional authorities in Ozoro Kingdom to review cultural practices that may expose women and girls to harm, insisting that the protection of human dignity must take precedence.
Reaffirming its commitment to gender equality, ActionAid Nigeria pledged to continue advocating for stronger systems to safeguard the rights and safety of women and girls, while expressing solidarity with survivors of the Ozoro incident.
