The Delta State Police Command has ordered an investigation into the commemoration of the “rape festival” in the Ozoro community, during which women are allegedly sexually assaulted.

The state police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, disclosed this on X on Friday, following a video shared by a user, @Teeniiola, showing different scenes of ladies being dragged and molested by scores of men on the streets of Ozoro at night.

“Today, there is a festival in Ozoro. No girl is allowed to walk on the road. Any girl seen outside is raped,” a man dressed in a red shirt said.

“Many girls have reportedly been raped and molested by men in Ozoro during what is being described as a ‘raping festival’ in the area,” @Teniola captioned the video. She also alleged that “foreigners who are unaware of this situation have reportedly fallen victim as well.”

Condemning the incident, Mr Edafe noted that the state commissioner of police, Aina Adesola, had ordered an investigation and subsequent arrest of those involved in the alleged sexual assault of women.

“This is alarming, disgusting, and embarrassing. The CP has ordered an investigation into the incident. The command condemns this in totality; no custom or tradition is superior to the rights of citizens.

“The Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Aina Adesola, urges Deltans to remain calm while assuring that those responsible for this barbaric act will be arrested and brought to justice. The command also calls for witnesses who can provide useful information that can aid the ongoing investigation.”

The alleged festival has elicited widespread condemnation, with many users expressing concerns about the safety of women while also berating the police for not taking urgent steps to arrest suspects.

An X user, @Ojembaoweilo, wrote, “It is a shame that the Nigerian police units now depend only on social media intelligence for their investigation. How can you tell me that something big like this happened, and the police never got the intelligence? Where are your undercover field officers?”

Another user, @Ugbede, wrote, “You mean you’ve not been able to make any arrest since yesterday? Out of the number of men seen in these videos, no one has been arrested?”

“The entire police force in Delta State was absent; not a single officer crossed this area, even with such a crowded festival,” said @Skood, who accused the police of only going after internet fraudsters.

Also, berating the police, @Dozie partly wrote, “With video evidence and public outrage, the police are still moving at a snail’s pace. This crime deserves action, not statements.”