Police in Nigeria's Delta state have arrested 15 people following allegations of sexual assault during the Alue-Do fertility festival in the city of Ozoro. Videos circulated online show groups of young men openly chasing, stripping, grabbing, and assaulting women in public spaces, in some instances while being filmed by onlookers.

The clips sparked widespread anger on social media, leading to the hashtag #StopRapingWomen trending and renewed calls for accountability over gender-based violence. However, Delta state police spokesperson Bright Edafe told Channels TV on Monday that no formal report of rape had been filed in connection with the festival. He stated, "We have spoken to four girls and all of them said nobody raped them."

Police have arrested several suspects identified from the videos and transferred them to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Among those detained is a community leader widely named as the event's organizer. Investigations are ongoing.

Some witnesses, activists, and residents claim women were warned not to go out during parts of the festival, and those seen outside were deliberately targeted. This has raised concerns that sexual violence may have been organized or tolerated under the guise of tradition.

The King of Ozoro rejected suggestions that the Alue-Do festival condones sexual assault, describing it as a fertility rite that was "misinterpreted and abused by some youths." Traditional leaders also stated that no rape occurred, admitting only that two women were harassed, while stressing such acts are criminal, not cultural.

Nigeria's First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who has roots in Delta state, condemned the alleged assaults and urged security agencies to prosecute all offenders. In a signed statement, she said no culture justifies violating women and girls, praised police for recent arrests, and encouraged victims to seek medical and psychological support.

Source: www.bbc.com