Fear and tension have spread in Ozoro as female students flee the community following assaults during a traditional festival while police continue arrests of suspected perpetrators.
Panic has gripped Ozoro in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State following the assault of several women during the ‘Alue-Do’ festival, with many female students reportedly fleeing the community over fears of fresh attacks. Viral videos from the event showed groups of youths chasing, stripping and assaulting women, triggering widespread outrage across the country.
A student leader told Sunday PUNCH that many female students had begun leaving the area due to trauma and uncertainty surrounding the festival’s seven-day duration. “Most of the female students in the community are scared… Many left early this morning, and others were still seen leaving up to this evening,” the source said, adding that some students allegedly participated in the assault.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command said it had arrested 11 additional suspects, bringing the total number in custody to 15. Police spokesperson Bright Edafe said the suspects were identified through video analysis and intelligence, stressing that the violence was carried out by criminal elements and not part of any recognised cultural practice.
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