The Nigeria Police Force in Delta State has debunked viral claims describing a recent cultural gathering in Ozoro as a “rape festival,” insisting there is no evidence to support the allegation.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, said investigations so far have not yielded any official reports of rape linked to the event.
“Among the four girls interviewed yesterday, none said they were raped. Up to this moment, we’ve not had any official report that anyone was raped,” Edafe stated.
He explained that the gathering, held in Ozoro, was a traditional festival organised by a chief priest with the intention of offering prayers for women seeking fertility.
“It was not a rape festival. It was a festival done by the chief priest to pray for barren women to have fruit of the womb—that was the intention,” he clarified.
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However, Edafe acknowledged serious lapses in the organisation of the event, noting that key stakeholders—including the traditional ruler of the community, the student union, school authorities, and the police—were not informed beforehand.
According to him, the failure to notify relevant authorities contributed to the controversy and led to reported cases of sexual assault, though not rape, involving some attendees.
“The chief priest is presently in our custody because his negligence has led to this embarrassment and to sexual assault on these innocent girls,” he added.
The police spokesperson stressed that investigations are ongoing, assuring the public that appropriate actions will be taken while urging restraint in spreading unverified claims.