The Delta State Government has officially condemned the alleged harassment and sex abuse of women during the cultural festivities in a quick and stern administrative response to the alarming claims that transpired at the Ozoro Festival. On Friday, March 20, 2026, the government released a public statement characterizing the crimes as “barbaric and unacceptable,” adding that no cultural legacy or celebratory practice should ever be used as a pretext for gender-based violence or the violation of human dignity.
In response to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s directive, the state commissioner for information stated that such “primitive behavior” runs counter to the state’s commitment to the safety and empowerment of all citizens, especially women and girls who ought to feel comfortable taking part in public celebrations.
The criticism comes after a number of social media posts went viral and eyewitness testimonies described how hoodlums and unruly guests in the Isoko North Local Government Area allegedly targeted many female attendees under the pretense of “festival excitement.” According to reports, the Delta State Police Command has been instructed by the state government to begin an urgent and “comprehensive investigation” in order to find, detain, and prosecute the offenders. Additionally, Ozoro’s traditional authority and festival organizers have been cautioned by the authorities about their shared obligation to prevent public gatherings from turning into criminal hotspots. The government spokeswoman said, “A festival is a celebration of life and culture, not a license for depravity,” and the state will “not fold its arms” while its citizens’ rights are violated.
The “Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act” in Delta State, which imposes severe legal penalties for physical assault and sexual harassment, is a topic of increased notice at the time of this official censure.
The investigation’s conclusion is being closely monitored as a test of the state’s “zero-tolerance policy” regarding sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
