Delta Police Arrest Festival Chief, 4 Others Over Sexual Assault on Women
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have apprehended the chief organizer of a local festival, Chief Omorede Sunday, along with four other suspects, following allegations of sexual assault during a cultural event in the Ozoro area. The police command has issued a strong condemnation of these acts after multiple videos surfaced online, depicting the sexual assault and molestation of young women during the festival.
Disturbing Incident in Isoko North Local Government Area
The troubling events unfolded during a local festival in the Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State. State police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrests in an official statement released via the police X handle @DeltaPoliceNG on Friday, March 20, 2026. Edafe described the incident as both criminal and inhumane, emphasizing that it represents a severe violation of the fundamental rights and dignity of the victims involved.
"The Delta State Police Command has received with grave concern disturbing videos that emanated from Oramudu quarters, Ozoro, which capture sexual assault and molestation of young women in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area, during a purported local event," Edafe stated in the official release.
Immediate Police Investigation Ordered
Upon reviewing the disturbing footage, the Commissioner of Police for Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident. This swift action led to the arrest of Chief Omorede Sunday, identified as the chief organizer, and four other individuals connected to the alleged assaults. The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a more comprehensive and detailed investigation.
Edafe further disclosed that tactical and investigative assets have been deployed with a clear mandate to identify, arrest, and ensure the prosecution of all individuals found culpable in this matter. The police have urged victims and witnesses to come forward with any information that could aid the ongoing investigations, assuring that all provided details will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism.
Public Outrage and Social Media Reactions
The emergence of videos showing women being assaulted during the Ozoro festival has sparked significant public outrage across social media platforms. Many Nigerians have expressed their dismay and called for more proactive measures from law enforcement agencies to prevent such incidents in the future.
One social media user questioned, "Is this the first time this so-called festival is happening in Ozoro? What did the NPF do about it in the previous years coz I learned this isn't the first incident?! How could this agency allow this madness to continue over the years."
Another comment highlighted concerns about police responsiveness, stating, "How did authorities miss a crime of this scale. People were running around assaulting girls and the police learned afterwards. Now imagine if a crime was by an individual; if the police are not aware when a community commits crimes, how will they detect when a single person commits one. You all need to be proactive rather than reactive."
Additional criticism focused on the number of arrests made relative to the evidence available, with one user remarking, "Only six people arrested out of all the video evidence flying around and several eye witnesses, you people should be ashamed of yourself and again post the prove of the arrest."
Background on the Ozoro Festival Assault
Recall that multiple videos began circulating on social media platforms, showing women being harassed and assaulted during the Ozoro festival in Delta State. Witnesses featured in several clips reported incidents of public attacks and harassment, with some victims allegedly subjected to sexual assault. The Delta State Police have characterized these acts as "alarming" and have launched a full-scale investigation into all related incidents.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring public safety during cultural and community events, particularly concerning the protection of women's rights and dignity. The police investigation continues as authorities work to bring all perpetrators to justice and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
