Name: Nigeria: Victims of sexual violence speak out
Uploaded: 2026-04-03T01:31:46.139Z
Duration: 4 min 47 s
Description: There are calls for justice and accountability in Nigeria after young women were sexually assaulted during a traditional fertility festival in Ozoro. Clips of the violence went viral, sparking widespread anger.

There are calls for justice and accountability in Nigeria after young women were sexually assaulted during a traditional fertility festival in Ozoro. Clips of the violence went viral, sparking widespread anger.

Lagos

Several women were attacked by a mob during a traditional festival in Uzoro, Nigeria, with at least six victims identified, all university students. Survivors, including one referred to as Omote, described ongoing trauma and called for the prosecution of those responsible. 

Authorities have launched an investigation, arresting at least 18 men aged 17 to 25, and are processing video evidence. Gender activists and community members are demanding stronger protections for women and a broader national debate to prevent future incidents of sexual violence.

Nigeria: Victims of sexual violence speak out

A dozen or so men in the streets of Uzoro, but invincible in the middle of this group is the young woman who they have just dragged from her motorcycle, and she was not the only woman who was brutally attacked by the mob under the guise of a traditional event. There are other survivors in this community who were attacked and filmed as bystanders watched like in these stills. I went to meet the survivor of this attack. We are calling her Omote to protect her identity and I've revoiced her audio. She told me that she was still suffering from what the men did to her on that day. I have not been able to sleep well. If I am sleeping, I will be shouting. My mom prays with me before I go to bed. I am traumatized and I've not been feeling too well. I don't like thinking about it or seeing the videos because it makes me feel more traumatized and I don't think it's good for my health. The trauma has left Omote with deep scars, but she is determined that her assailants must be brought to justice. I need medical care. I also want those people that were involved or responsible for this act to be prosecuted. Beyond that, Omote didn't feel able to tell the details of the attack. But speaking to an activist, she gave details of her ordeal and she has given us permission to use this testimony. I was about to come down from the bike when a lot of guys started shouting. Me kuna hold her. Nagel! Nagel! You people should hold her. I tried my best to run but I was not able to escape. They started dragging my clothes. Different boys were just dragging my breasts, my body, putting hands in my trousers. Gender activist Ejiro Omukoro is the person who Omote was able to open up to. She is from the district and has been in contact with some of the other survivors. What happened at the Oruzoro festival was an abomination against our maidens. In Isoko culture, belief systems and values and festivals, the maidens are respected. I tried to get reactions on the streets of Oruzoro but all the men my team approached refused to talk to us. But this food vendor, Christian Favor, was harassed on the day of the festival. She says what happened in the community was a clear case of sexual violence. Even if I was chased away from my business area, it should not happen again. If anybody tries to do such a thing, they should get them arrested and they should pay for their crime. The government should protect the women of Oruzoro, the ladies, the girls, the students that are involved. At least six victims have been identified and they are all students of this university. The notice of the fertility festival was written in the local language of the community which made non-indigents to be unaware of the event. Authorities have promised that the victims will get all the support they need in order to heal from the trauma. But there are questions hanging over how well placed the authorities are to help survivors of this sexual violence. The police say that investigation is ongoing. What happened was bad. Nobody is encouraging it. But it was not a case of rape as it was alleged on social media. However, the clear case of sexual assault, indecent assault, harassment that those girls encountered, we are investigating it. We are not relenting. The video analysis is being processed. We are on it. We are trying to identify as much people as we can. Gender activist Ejiru Omukuru wants this sexualized violence in Oruzoro to trigger a debate and bring change across the country. We cannot allow this kind of behavior to continue in Oruzoro or anywhere in Nigeria because we have seen similar festivals where this kind of behavior has been exhibited, they've been caught and then everybody forgets about them and then you see another resurgence again. The reason it keeps perpetuating is because there's not enough consequences on the perpetrators, the abusers. At least 18 men have been arrested aged between 17 and 25 years. As Nigerians continue to call for justice, survivors of gender-based violence like Omote are left hoping for a more inclusive society where women and girls will feel safe.

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