The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the alleged sexual assaults and public humiliation of women during the Alue-Do Festival in Ozoro, describing the incident as a “national disgrace” and a “collapse of conscience.”
In a statement on Saturday jointly signed by the NBA President, Afam Osigwe, and Chairperson of the NBA Women’s Forum, Huwaila Muhammad, the association said reports indicated that women were attacked, stripped and sexually assaulted in public during the festival.
“A society reveals its true character in how it treats its women. Where women are chased, stripped, groped, violated, and publicly humiliated by mobs under the guise of celebration, what is on display is not culture. It is barbarity,” the statement said.
The association described the incident as a grave violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, including the rights to dignity, personal liberty and security, stressing that the acts also constitute serious criminal offences under Nigerian law.
It further stated that no cultural or traditional practice could justify violence against women, insisting that such actions amount to gender-based violence and criminal conduct rather than legitimate cultural expression.
The NBA called on the Delta State Government and law enforcement agencies to urgently identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible, including individuals who aided or failed to prevent the attacks.
“Justice must not be delayed, and it must not be selective,” the association said, warning that silence or indifference could encourage further abuse.
The NBA also urged community leaders, traditional institutions and festival organisers to take responsibility for ensuring cultural events uphold dignity and public safety rather than enabling violence.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed the arrest of a community leader and several other suspects in connection with the incident and said investigations are ongoing to ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice.
