Reports of ‘raping festival’ in Ozoro false, misleading – Community leaders

By Nehru Odeh

The President-General of Ozoro Kingdom in Delta State, Chief Berkeley Asiafa and the Secretary-General, Prince Obaro Egware, have refuted reports making the rounds that rape and widespread atrocities occurred during the Alue-Do festival at Uruamudhu community in Ozoro on Thursday.

The community leaders, in a press statement released on behalf of the leadership of Ozoro Kingdom, said the reports, which have gone viral on social media, are false and misleading and that no incidents of rape were recorded.

“We wish to clearly state that reports circulating on social media alleging that rape and widespread atrocities occurred during the festival are false and misleading. No incidents of rape were recorded.

“The situation involved the harassment of two young women by individuals who took advantage of the occasion to act irresponsibly. The leadership of the Ozoro Kingdom immediately contacted the security agencies who brought the situation under control and are conducting their investigations.

“The leadership of Ozoro Kingdom strongly condemns any form of harassment or misconduct. Such behavior is not part of our culture and traditions and will not be tolerated. Appropriate steps are being taken to address the actions of those involved and to ensure that future celebrations are conducted in a peaceful, respectful, and orderly manner.

“We urge the public to disregard false reports and refrain from spreading misinformation that may tarnish the image of our cherished cultural heritage,” the statement read.

The community leaders also shed light on the festival which Uruamudhu, one of its communities, and not the entire Ozoro Kingdom, celebrated, adding that the kingdom is made up of five traditional communities, each with its distinct customs, traditions and festivals.

“On that said date, Uruamudhu Community celebrated one of its ancient festivals known as the Alue-Do Festival.

“The Alue-Do Festival is traditionally regarded as a festival of fertility. It is widely believed to be a cultural practice that brings blessings of children to individuals or couples experiencing difficulty in childbirth.

“As part of this long-standing tradition, certain symbolic practices are observed, including the act of playfully dragging and pouring sand on married individuals who are yet to have children, as a cultural expression believed to invoke fertility.

“However, it has come to our attention that some youths misinterpreted and misapplied this cultural practice in a negative and unacceptable manner, leading to the harassment of some young women.

The community leaders then urged the public to disregard the false reports and refrain from spreading misinformation that may tarnish the image of their cherished cultural heritage.