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Fear Grips Ozoro as Female Students Flee After Festival Assault Incident

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 22nd, 2026.

Ozoro, Delta State, March 22, 2026 , Tension has enveloped the university community in Ozoro, headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, as several female students reportedly leave the area following a violent incident during a traditional festival that has drawn widespread condemnation.

The situation unfolded after disturbing videos surfaced online showing groups of young men chasing, harassing, and assaulting women during the Alue-Do festival, triggering outrage across the country. According to Sunday Punch, the incident has left many residents, particularly female students, fearful of further attacks.

A student representative who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that anxiety has remained high since the incident, with many women opting to leave the community for safety reasons.
“There is a lot of fear. Many female students are leaving because the festival is said to last several days, and no one is certain what might happen next,” the source explained.

He added that departures began early in the day and continued into the evening, as concerns over possible recurrence of violence persisted. The tense atmosphere, he noted, has disrupted normal academic and social activities within the area.

The student leader also alleged that some individuals involved in the attacks were not only locals but included members of the student population, a development he described as deeply disturbing.
“It is painful to see that even students were part of such acts. It reflects a worrying decline in values and respect for human dignity,” he said.

While clarifying that no confirmed cases of rape had been reported among affected students, he acknowledged that several victims sustained injuries and received medical attention. He called for firm action against all perpetrators, insisting that those involved should face the full weight of the law regardless of their status.

Meanwhile, security agencies have intensified efforts to restore order. The Delta State Police Command confirmed the arrest of additional suspects linked to the incident, bringing the total number in custody to 15.

In a statement, Police Public Relations Officer Bright Edafe disclosed that the arrests followed a detailed review of video evidence and intelligence gathering, a development also reported by The Nation. He noted that the operation was carried out on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola.

According to the police, preliminary findings indicate that criminal elements took advantage of the festival atmosphere to perpetrate acts of violence, stressing that such conduct has no connection to legitimate cultural practices.
“These actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. All those involved will be identified and prosecuted,” Edafe stated, as cited by The Guardian Nigeria.

The incident has sparked strong reactions from civil society and professional bodies. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) described the events as a serious indictment of societal values, emphasizing that no cultural celebration should serve as a cover for abuse.

In a joint statement, NBA President Afam Osigwe and the Chairperson of the NBA Women Forum, Huwaila Muhammad, condemned the violence, stating that the treatment of women in such circumstances reflects poorly on society. Daily Times reports that the association called for swift justice and stronger protections for women.

Similarly, the Nigeria Federation of Business and Professional Women has urged the Delta State Government to take decisive action, including investigating the role of local authorities and ensuring accountability. The group also advocated for the establishment of an independent panel to examine the incident and prevent future occurrences.

As outrage continues to grow nationwide, many residents say restoring confidence will require not only arrests but visible justice and concrete measures to protect vulnerable groups within the community.