Ozoro: The Nigeria Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW Nigeria) has demanded full prosecution of all perpetrators involved in the attack on women in Ozoro, Delta State during a festival. The National President, Ojobo Atuluku, made the federation’s position known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, women were reportedly harassed and assaulted during the recent Ozoro Festival. While condemning the attacks, Atuluku emphasized that what occurred was not culture but criminality, describing it as gender-based violence in its most brazen form, inflicted on women who had every right to be safe in their own community.
She asserted that all the perpetrators, including organisers, participants, and enablers, should be prosecuted under all applicable laws, with independent oversight to prevent compromise. Atuluku also called for the investigation and sanction of traditional authorities in the affected community. If culpability, negligence, or complicity is established, she urged for the removal of all implicated office holders, up to and including the relevant First Class Chief under applicable chieftaincy laws.
The federation demanded mandatory regulation of cultural festivals to ensure compliance with human rights and public safety standards before any event is permitted to proceed. While acknowledging the swift action of the Delta State Police Command in arresting the alleged organiser and other suspects, Atuluku insisted that arrests alone were not justice. Thorough investigation, transparent prosecution, and consequences that unequivocally denounce violence against women are required.
Atuluku highlighted that the acts violated the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Section 34, right to dignity), the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015, and the Criminal Code Act. They also breached Nigeria’s international obligations under CEDAW and the Maputo Protocol, which required the State to protect women from violence and harmful practices.
The federation called for comprehensive support for victims, including medical care, psychosocial services, legal aid, and witness protection. It urged both the Federal Government and state governments to enforce all relevant legal frameworks. Atuluku appealed to traditional rulers across Nigeria to recognize that leadership carries responsibility and that no cultural event should become a platform for abuse.
She encouraged civil society, professional bodies, and the media to sustain pressure until justice is fully realized. Atuluku emphasized that this incident is not isolated and serves as a stark reminder that too many Nigerian women still navigate spaces where their safety is not guaranteed. BPW Nigeria stands in unwavering solidarity with the victims and will continue to advocate, mobilize, and pursue all lawful measures, including strategic litigation, until every Nigerian woman’s dignity and safety are protected.