The Delta State Police Command has refuted claims that the controversial Alue-Do festival in Ozoro was a “rape festival”, stating that no individual has officially reported rape in connection with the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, disclosed this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
“It is important to state clearly that among the four girls that were interviewed yesterday, no one, not one of them, said they were raped. Up till this very moment, we have not had any official reports that anybody was raped,” he said.
Edafe emphasised that investigations are strictly evidence-based.
“The law does not work on emotions; the law works on available evidence and statements of witnesses. For the fact that we have not had a witness who says ‘I was raped’, and the evidence does not show that anybody was raped, sexual assault is what we would be investigating,” he added.
He clarified that the festival was not designed to promote sexual violence but was originally a traditional rite.
“It was not a rape festival. It was a festival organised by a chief priest to pray for barren women seeking the fruit of the womb. That was the intention,” Edafe said.
However, he revealed that 16 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.
The police spokesperson also noted that due process was not followed in organising the event, as key stakeholders were not informed.
“For reasons best known to them, the traditional ruler of Ozoro Kingdom was not informed, the students’ union was not informed, and the school management was not informed.
“They also did not inform the police. That is why the chief priest is presently in our custody, because his negligence has led to this embarrassment and to the sexual assault of these innocent girls,” he said.
He added that while the festival is said to hold every three to four years, this is the first time such an incident has been recorded in the state.
The controversy sparked widespread outrage after videos surfaced online showing groups of men harassing women in public, with some social media users describing it as a “rape festival”.
Community leaders have since argued that the event was hijacked by hoodlums who exploited the gathering to commit criminal acts.
Authorities have taken action, including multiple arrests, while the Delta State Government has condemned the incident, stressing that cultural practices cannot justify criminal behaviour. The festival has now been banned, and the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further probe.
Meanwhile, the Ozoro Kingdom Palace has also condemned the harassment of women during the event, describing it as “unacceptable” and inconsistent with the community’s values, while distancing itself from claims that such acts were sanctioned.