Unveiling the Controversy Surrounding the Ozoro Alue-Do Festival

The Alue-Do festival, an ancient cultural celebration revered by the Uruamudhu community, which is part of the Ozoro Kingdom in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, faced controversy this year due to serious allegations of sexual molestation and rape.

Originally intended to be a joyous occasion to honor cultural heritage and ancestral pride, the event took place on March 19, 2026, but devolved into an experience marked by fear and assaults against women. Those who should have safeguarded the celebration instead became perpetrators of violence against vulnerable participants.

A local resident, Samuel, expressed that the memories of that day will haunt the victims of the sexual assaults.

Findings by Weekend Trust noted that the Alue-Do festival is typically a well- organized event with established guidelines communicated to the community. Traditionally, the festival has explicit rules intended to protect women and girls, often prompting them to stay indoors during certain periods. Unfortunately, this year, there was no formal warning or community education regarding these expected rules.

As a result, many women and girls, unfamiliar with any movement restrictions, went about their daily activities. Visitors and students from Delta State University, also unaware of the local customs, found themselves in unexpected and harmful situations. They were reported to have endured various forms of sexual maltreatment during the festivities.

Samuel shared that some criminal individuals took advantage of the chaos surrounding the festival to perpetrate sexual violence, with numerous accounts of women being assaulted in daylight while celebrations were ongoing. He condemned these actions, stating that they misrepresent the cultural celebration as merely a guise for criminal activities.

Previously, the festival was characterized by merriment and cultural significance, as described by attendees who lamented the stark change in atmosphere. Community members recounted that the last festival was hosted in 2022 without any incidents of crime.

Weekend Trust learned that the festival traditionally symbolizes fertility, bringing blessings of children to individuals facing fertility challenges. One of the festival’s cultural practices includes the playful pouring of sand on couples without children, an act believed to encourage conception. According to Samuel, such rites are not held every year but occur at intervals ranging from two to four years.

“In my experience since 1994, I have never encountered anything like this,” he remarked. “This festival has always fostered peace and upheld cultural significance. What transpired this year is entirely unprecedented.”

Eyewitness accounts indicate that tensions escalated when certain youths misunderstood the traditional rites related to movements during the festival. One local business owner reported that the troubling incidents unfolded between 5 PM and 6 PM on the event day.

“Some youths started harassing the young women, pursuing and attacking them. In one case, a man had to intervene to protect his girlfriend from being chased,” he recounted.

He noted that the couple was rescued by a motorcycle rider who helped them escape the area.

Online videos circulating from the festival depicted women fleeing through the streets, with some reportedly being dragged by groups of young men who were engaging in the violent acts. Other footage showed young girls being stripped and groped in a setting that hardly resembled a celebratory environment.

In interviews, victims shared harrowing accounts of their assaults. One woman, who chose to remain anonymous, described her ordeal, stating, “On that day, I was wearing shorts and when I encountered a crowd, boys began shouting ‘look at her, look at her’ and I felt truly violated.”

Another victim recalled being on a motorcycle, stating, “As I passed the crowd, the boys yelled, ‘Capture her, she’s a girl, don’t let her escape.’ They started pulling at my clothing, ensuring I was nearly exposed. I was yelling at them to stop, but they kept touching me inappropriately.”

Since the incident, she has suffered from nightmares and distressing recollections, even needing her mother’s comfort to sleep at night. “I ask for some form of compensation for the trauma I suffered during the assault,” she expressed.

While various social media posts pointed towards rape accusations, responses from local student leaders suggest a nuanced truth. Comrade Oribelua Precious, president of the Southern Delta University Student Union Government, confirmed that while incidents of sexual harassment and molestation did occur, there have been no verified reports of rape. “We’re still gathering data on the number of students affected, but I have not encountered any confirmed cases of rape,” he stated.

He added, “I personally intervened to protect the students because I reside near the area. I was alerted that students were in distress, and I rushed there to help.” Though he could not provide specific numbers regarding victims, he affirmed that numerous students experienced sexual violations.

The community has since engaged with the traditional leadership, local law enforcement, and state government to address grievances and ensure accountability for those who committed the offenses.

Chief Berkley Asiafa, president-general of Ozoro Kingdom, elaborated that this festival has long been a cherished event, historically free from criminality. He remarked on the inadequate security measures in place during this year’s celebration, which left young women vulnerable to harassment.

The traditional leader rejected the rape allegations, contending that no acts of rape occurred but acknowledged that instances of molestation took place.

Ozoro Kingdom leadership collectively dismissed claims of widespread violence and sexual assault as false, affirming that any incidents of harassment by some youths misrepresenting their cultural traditions are unwelcome within their community values.

The Delta State Government condemned the reported attacks on women during the festival as unacceptable, insisting that society must not tolerate any actions that violate women’s rights and dignity. Charles Aniagwu, Delta State’s Commissioner for Works and Public Information, expressed strong disapproval of the assaults and directed law enforcement to expedite investigations into the incidents to bring perpetrators to justice.

While condemning the events, the Ovie of Ozoro Kingdom emphasized that such appalling experiences should never happen to any girl-child. He reiterated that events must receive prior approval before being hosted to maintain proper order.

Godwin Ogorugba, chairman of Isoko North Local Government, described the assaults as inhumane and reiterated that no tradition can justify such degradation of women. Former Delta State governor Chief James Ibori also voiced disapproval of the incident while cautioning against attributing the actions of a few to the entire Isoko ethnicity.

In a response to escalating unrest, Bright Edafe, spokesperson for the Delta State police command, announced the arrest of 18 individuals related to the sexual assaults during the festival. He confirmed that while four victims of molestation were identified, no confirmed cases of rape were reported, assuring the public that everyone involved will be brought to justice.