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SUG, Ozoro Leaders Deny Rape Claims, Confirm Sexual Harassment at Festival
Southern Delta University SUG president says six students were molested during Ozoro festival, while community leaders blame hoodlums.
Authorities in Ozoro kingdom and the Students’ Union Government of Southern Delta University have dismissed reports of rape during a recent traditional festival, confirming instead that several female students were sexually harassed by hoodlums.
SUG President Oribelua Precious said six students have so far reported being molested during the event held in Uruamudhu quarters, Isoko North LGA.
“About six of our female students have so far come forward to say they passed through molestation, they were sexually harassed. None of them was raped. They have gone back home. The school is not in session,” he stated.
The President-General of Ozoro kingdom, Berkeley Asiafa, also confirmed that no rape occurred but acknowledged that hoodlums harassed women during the festival.
According to him, the disruption began after the chief priest’s procession during the Aluedo festival, a traditional rite associated with fertility and agricultural blessings.
“There was no rape but women were molested during the festival in Uruamudhu quarters,” he said.
Asiafa revealed that three victims spoke privately with the state police commissioner, confirming harassment but not rape. He added that one victim reported losing N10,000 to the attackers.
He explained that the festival traditionally restricts participation to married women, noting that hoodlums exploited the situation to harass women found outdoors.
Efforts by security operatives and local vigilantes to apprehend the suspects were unsuccessful as they fled the scene.
Also speaking, Djowah Ighenechovwen said his staff intervened to rescue two victims during the incident.
“We rescued two girls when the boys started harassing them,” he said.
A community elder, Joseph Usikpedo, described the development as shocking and inconsistent with the cultural significance of the festival.
“I am going to 80 years, I don’t know what happened this year,” he lamented.
Residents said the festival is held periodically, usually every three to five years, and acknowledged that the incident has prompted calls for stricter security measures at future events.
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