A Nigerian woman identified as Ese has come forward with a deeply disturbing account of her experience with the controversial festival in Ozoro, Delta State, that has been making headlines across the country.
The Ozoro community has been under intense scrutiny after videos showing men sexually assaulting young women during what has been termed a “raping festival” went viral on social media, sparking nationwide outrage and calls for justice.
A Horrifying Testimony
In a video shared on social media, Ese recounted a particularly harrowing incident that allegedly occurred when she was still in secondary school, approximately eight to nine years ago.
According to her account, the daughter of her pastor became a victim of unimaginable brutality during one of these festivals.
“If you think you have seen the worst video from the Ozoro raping festival, I can bet with my life you haven’t,” Ese began her testimony.
She described how a group of men forcefully entered her pastor’s home under the pretense of pursuing someone who had taken a “compound” (a reference to traditional festival rituals). Once inside, they spotted the pastor’s daughter, dragged her outside, and committed the horrific act.
“They inserted iron rod inside my pastor’s daughter’s private part. Not like she was outside. The men ran inside their house claiming they were pursuing a man who took a compound. They ran inside our pastor’s house, they saw the girl, took her outside and inserted rod in her private part,” she revealed.
Protecting the Victim’s Identity
Out of respect for the survivor’s privacy and ongoing trauma, Ese chose not to reveal the young woman’s name or the specific church involved in her testimony.
“I know the young lady but I chose not to name her or the church because I believe the victim is still traumatized by the incident,” she explained.
Her Family’s Own Close Call
Ese also shared how her own family narrowly escaped similar attacks. She recounted that rampaging men had previously attempted to assault two of her sister’s friends during the festival, but were unsuccessful after her father—a retired military officer—intervened and chased them away.
The Unpredictable Nature of the Festival
Perhaps most concerning is Ese’s revelation about the random and unpredictable nature of these festivals.
“This thing is diabolic. There is nothing the government will do other than for them to be on standby because they cannot cancel that tradition. They will never know when the festival will happen because it is usually done once in fifty or thirty years,” she stated.
According to her, the festival occurs without prior public notice, making it difficult for authorities or residents to prepare or protect potential victims.
Government Response and Arrests
Following the viral videos that shocked Nigerians, law enforcement authorities have sprung into action. So far, fifteen persons have been arrested in connection with the sexual assaults captured on video.
The incidents have reignited conversations about harmful cultural practices, women’s safety, and the need for stricter enforcement of laws protecting citizens from gender-based violence.
National Outrage and Calls for Justice
The revelations from Ozoro have sparked widespread condemnation across Nigeria, with citizens, activists, and organizations calling for:
– Full prosecution of all perpetrators
– Protection for victims and survivors
– Re-examination of cultural practices that violate human rights
– Stronger legal frameworks to prevent such occurrences
As investigations continue, many Nigerians are watching closely to see if justice will truly be served and whether this dark chapter will finally bring an end to such brutal traditions.
The identities of victims have been protected in this report. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, please contact the nearest police station or relevant support organizations.
—
What are your thoughts on this disturbing revelation? Should cultural practices that violate human rights be completely abolished? Share your views in the comments below.
Read more on buzzUp9ja
Be the first to comment