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How a Festival Exposed Nigeria’s Crisis of Violence Against Women

A cultural event in Ozoro has sparked national controversy following reports of widespread sexual assault and violence against women. In an op-ed, youth activist Rinu Oduala argued that the incident reflects a systemic failure within Nigerian society to properly raise and protect both male and female children.

"What kind of society produces men who view women in public spaces as available for violation, and what kind of system allows them to act on that belief without fear of consequence?" Oduala wrote.

An investigation by the Nigerian police has led to the arrest of 15 suspects following allegations of rape and sexual assault during the Alue-Do festival.

There were disturbing videos showing women being chased, stripped, and assaulted in public, which sparked widespread outrage on social media, resulting in the hashtag #StopRapingWomen, and renewed calls for accountability in terms of gender-based violence. Authorities rejected claims that the event was a "rape festival," saying no formal rape cases had been reported.

Police spokesperson Bright Edafe said they had arrested several suspects identified from the videos and transferred them to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID), describing scenes in the videos as "alarming, disgusting, and embarrassing".  Witnesses, activists, and residents said women were warned not to go out during parts of the festival, and that those seen outside were deliberately targeted.

Twitter / @miz_philz - via Human Rights Watch

Nigerians gather to protest sexual assault and violence against women and girls (file photo).

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