The public went frenzy as it trailed events in Ozoro, a community in Delta State, over the weekend of March 20, after widespread social media reports described a local celebration as a “rape festival.” These, which quickly gained traction online, sparked concern across the country and drew attention to the nature of the gathering.
However, as of the morning of March 23, authorities have moved to clarify the situation, stating that available evidence does not support the claims that initially fueled the backlash.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ozoro Police Division confirmed that, so far, no formal reports of rape have been filed in connection with the event. According to the police, cases currently under investigation relate to assault, based on statements gathered from individuals questioned in the course of preliminary inquiries, including said victims of the event.
The PRO further noted that several suspects have been detained. In line with constitutional provisions and due process, those in custody will be charged strictly on the basis of substantiated allegations. As it stands, this means prosecution will proceed on assault-related offenses, given the absence of reported or verified rape cases.
While the victims are being compensated for items lost or stolen during the course of the event, the police force has alsp employed the services of psychologist to help ease the trauma.
Community leadership has also responded to the controversy, rejecting the viral description of the event. The President General of the Ozoro kingdom described the narrative as a misrepresentation, explaining that the gathering in question is traditionally a fertility festival. According to him, the festival involves ritual prayers led by a chief priest, particularly for women seeking children.
He added that the practice is not widespread across the entire Uzoro community but is limited to a specific area. Addressing reports of misconduct, he stated that the event was disrupted by individuals he described as hoodlums, who allegedly took advantage of the gathering to harass and assault young ladies in the area.
The incident has since caused to surface, the tension between rapidly spreading digital narratives and verified accounts from authorities and local stakeholders. While police investigations continue, the distinction between unverified claims and confirmed offenses remains central to the unfolding response.
Authorities have indicated that further updates will depend on ongoing investigations and any additional reports that may emerge. In the meantime, the situation in Uzoro remains under scrutiny, with both law enforcement and community leaders seeking to address the concerns raised in the wake of the controversy.