Ozoro Kingdom in Delta State has been thrust into the spotlight following disturbing reports of sexual assault allegedly carried out during a community festival.
During a visit by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), His Royal Majesty, Barr. Anthony Uvietobore Ogbogbo, the Ovie of Ozoro Kingdom, strongly denied prior knowledge of such incidents.
He stated: “Did you come to inform the President or me? I have more than 200 videos and photos of what happened in Ozoro. Many government officials and kings have been calling me to know what exactly is happening in my community. I have been a king for more than 20 years now, and I have never heard of girls being abused and harassed in my community, all in the name of a festival.”
The King’s remarks caused a wave of reactions online. Some community youths insisted that the perpetrators were outsiders and dismissed the allegations as rumours.
Yet, eyewitnesses contradicted this, with one voice in the background asserting: “No be rumour, the incident happened.”
Jennifer Enyadike questioned, “Since you have not heard, now that they are telling what should be done?”
while another user, Demi, criticised the monarch: “What kind of King does not know if a festival or even a mere gathering is taking place in his Kingdom?”
Arochukwu Priest reminded Nigerians of other harmful traditions, saying: “While we all condemn the Ozoro rape festival, let’s not forget to add communities who still practice ritual burials where humans are buried along with their Obas.”
Some voices defended the King, arguing that misinformation was fueling the controversy. KollinNovaX wrote: “The misinformation about the festival being called a ‘Rape Festival’ should stop, please. It is not. The miscreants, who took advantage of the festival to carry out atrocities and show their uncouth behaviour, should be tracked down and punished mercilessly.”
Calls for justice and accountability dominate the conversation. Rough Diamond declared: “All the culprits must face the consequences of their actions.” Others went further, demanding the King’s arrest or dethronement, accusing him of negligence or complicity.
