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Leaders of the Ozoro community in Delta State have rejected allegations of rape linked to the Alue-Do festival, stating that some youths exploited the event to harass women.
The reaction follows widespread outrage on social media after videos surfaced showing men tearing the clothes of young women during the celebration.
In a statement signed by the community’s president-general, Berkley Asiafa, and secretary-general, Obaro Egware, the leaders said the clips misrepresented the festival and cast it in a negative light.
They explained that the Ozoro Kingdom comprises five traditional communities, each with distinct customs, and noted that the Alue-Do festival, celebrated by the Uruamudhu community, is an age-old cultural event associated with fertility.
According to them, the festival traditionally includes symbolic acts such as playfully dragging or pouring sand on married individuals without children, practices believed to invoke fertility.
However, they said some youths distorted these customs and engaged in inappropriate behaviour, resulting in the harassment of women.
The leaders maintained that, contrary to reports, no cases of rape were recorded, but acknowledged that two women were harassed by individuals who took advantage of the occasion.
“We wish to clearly state that reports circulating on social media alleging that rape and widespread atrocities occurred during the festival are false and misleading,” the statement reads.
“No incidents of rape were recorded. The situation involved the harassment of two young women by individuals who took advantage of the occasion to act irresponsibly.”
They added that security agencies were contacted, the situation was brought under control, and investigations have begun.
The community condemned all forms of misconduct, stressing that such behaviour is not part of their culture and will not be tolerated, while assuring that measures are being taken to prevent a recurrence.
The statement also urged the public to disregard what it described as misleading reports and avoid spreading information that could damage the community’s cultural image.
In one of the viral videos, men were seen assaulting women, with one victim visibly distressed and struggling to hold together her torn clothing.
The Delta State Government has condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable and warning that no one should hide under the guise of cultural celebrations to commit criminal acts.
Police have since arrested a community leader, Omorede Sunday, along with four others in connection with the allegations.
