Ozoro, a community located in the Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, has been at the center of a wave of national and international outrage since March 19, 2026.
Numerous videos and testimonies circulating on social media describe horrifying scenes: groups of men chasing young women through the streets, tearing off their clothes, and sexually assaulting them in public.
Many internet users and commentators have described the events as a “rape festival.” According to several consistent accounts:
A local annual tradition, reportedly held every March, allegedly forbids women and girls from going out into the streets during a specific period (some mention a strict rule after midday or lasting several days).
Any woman or girl seen outside is reportedly considered a “legitimate target” for harassment, group sexual assault, or rape.
Videos show chaotic scenes: men running in groups toward isolated women, cries of distress, torn clothing, and desperate attempts to escape.
The presence of Delta State University in Ozoro appears to worsen the situation. Many female students—some from other regions of Nigeria and unfamiliar with the alleged local customs—are said to have been particularly vulnerable. Some testimonies also mention attacks on visitors or passersby who were completely unaware of the situation.
The images and accounts circulating since yesterday have deeply shocked Nigerian public opinion. They serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in protecting women and combating sexual violence in certain communities, even in 2026.
