The Delta State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring justice over the alleged incidents of sexual assault in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area, following a high-level visit led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola.
The visit, described as both fact-finding and confidence-building, involved members of the Command’s top management team, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and other senior officers.
Speaking during the engagement, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the Commissioner’s visit was prompted by the disturbing nature of the incident and growing public concern.
“The Inspector-General of Police is deeply concerned about the situation,” Edafe said. “The Commissioner described the development as an embarrassment to the local government, the state, and the country, and assured that the Command will not relent until all those involved are arrested and prosecuted.”
As part of the visit, the police team paid a courtesy call on the traditional ruler of Ozoro Kingdom, HRM Barr. Anthony Uvietobore Ogbogbo (JP), Ibuka I, where the CP briefed the monarch on the progress of the investigation.
Adesola reiterated the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on sexual and gender-based violence and assured residents, particularly students, that proactive measures were being strengthened to prevent a recurrence.
“We are committed to ensuring justice is served and that such incidents do not happen again,” the CP said, while commending students for their restraint and maturity in choosing dialogue over protest.
In his remarks, the Ovie of Ozoro Kingdom condemned the incident in strong terms, stressing that no girl child should be subjected to such an experience.
“I appreciate the Commissioner of Police for his swift response and professional handling of the matter,” the monarch said. “All those involved must be arrested and prosecuted.”
He also directed that no festival or gathering should be held in the kingdom without prior recourse to the palace to prevent a recurrence.
Similarly, the Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area, Hon. (Elder) Godwin Ogorugba, described the incident as unfortunate, dismissing claims of a so-called “rape festival” in the community.
“There is no such thing as a ‘rape festival’ in Ozoro,” Ogorugba said. “What occurred was a cultural event that was mismanaged and hijacked by criminal elements.”
He added that key stakeholders were not duly informed ahead of the event and assured that the state government would support the police in bringing all perpetrators to justice.
Also speaking, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) South-South Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Victor Ogechukwu, commended the police for their prompt response.
“The student body adopted dialogue to manage the situation and prevent escalation,” he said.
The police also revealed that the Commissioner engaged directly with key stakeholders, including the President-General of the Ozoro Community, Chief Berkley Asiafa; the Student Union Government President of Southern Delta University, Oribelua Precious; and some of the victims.
Edafe noted that the Command maintains an active Gender Desk at the State Headquarters to handle cases of sexual and gender-based violence.
“Victims are encouraged to utilise the facility with full assurance of confidentiality,” he said.
