(DDM) — Outrage is mounting across Nigeria as lawyers and human rights advocates demand an outright ban on the Ozoro cultural festival in Delta State following reports of widespread assaults on women during the event.
The call comes in the wake of disturbing allegations that women and girls were harassed, violated, and subjected to degrading treatment under the cover of cultural celebration, sparking national condemnation.
Legal experts have described the incidents as criminal acts, not culture, insisting that any tradition that enables abuse must be scrapped without hesitation.
They argued that the Ozoro festival, as currently practiced, has crossed the line from cultural expression into what they called “organised lawlessness,” where perpetrators act with impunity.
According to rights advocates, failure to immediately halt such events sends a dangerous message that violence against women can be tolerated if it is dressed in the language of tradition.
Lawyers warned that the continued hosting of such festivals could amount to a violation of constitutional rights, including the right to dignity, personal liberty, and protection from inhuman and degrading treatment.
They also accused authorities of negligence, questioning why adequate security measures were not put in place despite previous concerns surrounding similar gatherings.
Calls have intensified for the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in the assaults, with advocates insisting that justice must be swift and visible to deter future occurrences.
Human rights groups stressed that beyond physical harm, victims often suffer long-term psychological trauma, stigma, and social consequences that can affect their lives for years.
Observers say the Ozoro incident has reignited a broader national debate about the place of culture in modern society, particularly where traditions conflict with fundamental human rights.
Critics argue that too often, harmful practices are shielded from scrutiny under the guise of cultural preservation, allowing abuse to persist unchecked.
They insist that culture must never be weaponised against women, adding that any festival that fails to guarantee safety should be suspended indefinitely until strict safeguards are implemented.
As pressure mounts, attention is now on government authorities and law enforcement agencies to take decisive action, with many Nigerians demanding not just reforms but a complete overhaul of how such festivals are organised and regulated.
