Alue-Do festival suspects transferred to Delta State CID
Updated
Updated · Express · May 2
Alue-Do festival suspects transferred to Delta State CID
6 articles · Updated · Express · May 2
Police said multiple suspects were arrested after videos from Ozoro showed groups of men chasing, stripping and sexually assaulting women during the annual festival.
Spokesman Bright Edafe said those involved would be charged, while witnesses were urged to come forward and some victims, believed to include nearby university students, were reportedly hospitalised.
Nigeria's First Lady Oluremi Tinubu said no culture justified abusing women and girls, but some community leaders denied rapes, saying the fertility festival had been misinterpreted and abused by youths.
What systemic changes are needed in Nigeria to prevent cultural events from becoming platforms for gender-based violence and ensure survivor support?
Could the tension between tradition and modern law in Nigeria be resolved to protect women's rights without erasing cultural identity?
How do community denials and claims of 'misinterpretation' affect justice for victims and future prevention of such assaults?
Widespread Sexual Assaults at Ozoro’s Alue-Do Festival Spark #StopRapingWomen Movement and Legal Action
Overview
On March 19, 2026, during the Alue-Do Festival in Ozoro, groups of young men committed widespread sexual assaults against women, which were recorded by bystanders and quickly shared online. The videos sparked national outrage and fueled the #StopRapingWomen movement, leading to the arrest of 15 to 16 suspects, including the festival organizer. Authorities condemned the attacks, banned the festival, and launched a formal investigation. Despite strong video evidence, legal challenges remain due to the need for formal victim complaints. Activists and officials are calling for legal reforms, better police training, expanded survivor support, and cultural change to prevent future violence and ensure justice.