GPBN Demands Justice Over Sexual Assaults at Ozoro Festival, Condemns Violence Against Women

The Guild of Professional Bloggers of Nigeria (GPBN) has issued a strong condemnation of the alleged widespread sexual assault, harassment, and molestation of women during the recent Ozoro festival in Isoko, Delta State, calling on security agencies to immediately investigate and prosecute all perpetrators.

In a statement released on Sunday, the group described the incidents as “deeply troubling acts of violence against women” that have overshadowed what was meant to be a celebration of culture and community.

“These reprehensible incidents represent a gross violation of human rights, dignity, and personal safety, and must not be tolerated under any circumstances,” the GPBN said.

The body demanded that the Delta State Police Command and other relevant security agencies take decisive action to probe the events at the festival, ensure the arrest and prosecution of suspects, and provide survivors with adequate medical, psychological, and legal support while protecting their identities throughout the process.

“It is no longer acceptable for these cases to be swept under the rug, settled quietly, or dismissed due to negligence, bias, or corrupt interference,” the statement added.

The GPBN further urged the Delta State Government to demonstrate its commitment to citizen safety by strengthening legal frameworks, supporting anti-gender-based violence initiatives, and ensuring that no perpetrator escapes accountability.

“Justice for rape survivors in Ozoro is not a request, it is a right,” the group asserted.

The guild called on the community, civil society organisations, and the media to unite in breaking the silence around sexual violence, supporting survivors, and sending an unequivocal message that such acts will never be tolerated in Ozoro or anywhere else in Nigeria.

The statement was signed by Abiola Alaba Peters, National Public Relations Officer of the Guild of Professional Bloggers of Nigeria.