Police in Nigeria say they have arrested 15 people after disturbing videos from a community festival in Delta State spread online. The footage shows groups of young men attacking women who were alone in public areas. The clips caused outrage across social media, with many people using the hashtag #StopRapingWomen and demanding justice and stronger action against gender-based violence.
The incident is linked to the Alue-Do festival held in the town of Ozoro. Some posts online described the event as a “rape festival,”, but police have strongly denied this claim. A police spokesperson said that no official reports of rape had been filed in connection with the festival.
However, the videos show serious acts of abuse. Several scenes depict men pursuing women, seizing them, ripping their clothes, and publicly humiliating them. Some bystanders also record the attacks instead of intervening. Authorities described the behaviour in the videos as shocking and unacceptable.
Police say they identified suspects from the footage and have transferred them to the Criminal Investigation Department for further questioning. Among those arrested was a local leader who is believed to have helped organise the event. Investigations are still ongoing.
Some local residents and activists have claimed that women were warned to stay indoors during certain parts of the festival. They say that women who went outside were deliberately targeted. This has raised serious concerns that such acts may have been allowed or overlooked during the celebration.
Even though there is no confirmed report of rape, rights groups say the actions seen in the videos are still forms of serious sexual violence. They point out that forced stripping, unwanted touching, and public humiliation are crimes under Nigerian law.
Traditional leaders in Ozoro have rejected the idea that the festival supports such behaviour. They explained that the event is meant to be a cultural fertility celebration but was misused by some young people, leading to misunderstandings about its true purpose and the values it represents. They also admitted that a few women were harassed but stressed that such actions are criminal and not part of their traditions.
The Delta State government has also said that no cultural event allows violence against women. Officials promised that anyone involved will face the law. Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, also spoke out against the incident. She said no tradition should ever excuse harming women and called for all offenders to be punished. She also encouraged victims to seek medical care and emotional support.
