On Sunday, Nigerian youths staged a protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly, demanding justice for victims of an alleged sexual assault during a fertility festival in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State. The demonstrators, under the banner of the “End The Rape Culture” campaign, condemned circulating reports and videos that purportedly showed victims pleading for help during the incident.
Rhoda Robinson, Executive Director of Hacey Health Initiative, described the alleged assault as deeply disturbing and emblematic of a wider societal problem. She stressed that the issue is not just a headline, highlighting that survivors of sexual violence are often silenced, blamed, and denied justice.
Robinson challenged claims that rape culture no longer exists in Nigeria, citing data showing that many women and girls experience sexual violence, with the majority of cases unreported due to fear, stigma, and societal pressures. She emphasized that even reported cases rarely result in justice for victims.
She referenced the tragic case of Ochanya, a young girl repeatedly abused by relatives and who later died from complications, as evidence of persistent vulnerability among girls nationwide. Robinson noted that many victims continue to suffer in silence, and called for stronger protections, effective laws, and consistent justice.
In response to the festival incident, Delta State Commissioner of Police Aina Adesola, alongside senior officers including Deputy Commissioner Olumuyiwa Adejobi, visited the affected area to address the situation and ensure appropriate action is taken.
