In Nigeria, a fertility festival has resulted in an uproar due to a report of that women were chased and assaulted at the said festival. The incident occurred in Delta State, as part of Alue-Do Festival (a traditional fertility-related event) belonging to the Oramudu people.
As per reports, what started out as a cultural celebration has quickly escalated to that of violence towards women. Numerous females were allegedly followed in public areas by groups of males and were treated violently through sexual assault. A few have referred to this situation as a “Rape Festival” due to the number and types of assaults that occurred.
Nigeria rape festival: Festival turns violent as women were attacked in public
As per reports, Different witnesses have reported that events escalated rapidly, with large groups of men, and in some instances, young boys, were involved in the assault. Victims reported that their clothing had been ripped from their bodies before they were assaulted in full view of the public.
Bystanders were reported to have been in the open, however some stated they yelled or responded, but did not intervene to stop the actions being committed. The lack of action by the bystanders has contributed to the outrage surrounding this incident.
Nigeria rape festival: Victims include students, some hospitalised after attack
Many of the victims are believed to be female students from a nearby university. Some of them were reportedly taken to hospitals for treatment following the assault, dealing with both physical injuries and emotional trauma.
Reports say that one survivor, a student named Rosemary, shared her experience. She said the attack began shortly after she arrived in the area on a motorcycle. According to her, the crowd suddenly turned on her.
Nigeria rape festival: Survivor recounts horrifying experience in her own words
“Hold her, hold her, that’s a woman,” people in the crowd shouted, she said. “They swooped on me like bees. A large crowd started pulling my clothes until they stripped me naked. They were pulling my breasts and touching my whole body … I was shouting for help,” she told the NY Post.
Rosemary said she was eventually rescued by a passerby who stepped in and helped her escape. However, she also lost her phone during the incident. She added that she is still suffering from both physical pain and emotional trauma.
Nigeria rape festival: Police confirm arrests, including a community leader
Following the incident, authorities in Delta State confirmed that arrests have been made. Several suspects, including a local community leader and four young men, have been taken into custody, as per reports.
Bright Edafe, the police spokesperson, said that strict action is being taken against those involved. He assured that all suspects will face charges and legal action.
Nigeria rape festival: Authorities promise strict action and justice
Reports say that Aina Adesola has ordered that all arrested suspects be immediately transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID). “The Commissioner of Police has instructed that the suspects be transferred to the State CID without delay. The Commissioner is committed to ensuring that anyone involved will be arrested and brought to justice,” Edafe said.
Meanwhile, rights activists have strongly condemned the incident. Rita Aiki from the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative said, “When people can do this in the open, and others treat it like spectacle, it goes beyond individual actions. It tells you something about what is being normalised in a given society.”
The incident has raised serious questions about safety, accountability, and social attitudes, as investigations continue and calls for justice grow louder.
Khalid Qasid is a media enthusiast with a strong interest in documentary filmmaking. He holds a Master’s degree in Convergent Journalism from AJK MCRC. He has also written extensively on esports at Sportsdunia. Currently, he covers world and general news at NewsX Digital.
