Since we're talking about the shocking videos coming out of Ozoro, Delta State, let's look at it critically, because what we witnessed there – women being openly harassed, assaulted, and allegedly gang-raped during a so-called 'festival' – is not just an isolated incident; it's a grim reflection of a deeper societal rot.
I’ve been tracking this, and the outrage online is justified. The Delta State Police Command has condemned it and launched an investigation, which is a start, but we need more than condemnation. We need decisive action and a complete dismantling of the mindset that normalizes such barbarity.
Here are the facts, and trust me, they are chilling:
- The Scale of the Crisis: Between 2020 and 2023, Nigeria recorded a staggering 27,698 cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), with a paltry 393 convictions and 1,145 fatalities. Let that sink in. In September 2023 alone, 24,720 GBV cases were documented nationwide in just one month. Thirty percent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical or sexual violence.
- Femicide on the Rise: The 2024 femicide report reveals that 133 women, including teenagers, were killed in gender-related violence across Nigeria. January 2025 saw a terrifying 240% increase in femicide cases compared to the previous year. These are not just numbers; these are our sisters, our mothers, our daughters.
- Insufficient Response: While the government recently launched a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Abia State and boasts of 50 SARCs across 24 states assisting over 58,134 survivors, the Minister herself admits these figures are insufficient for the magnitude of reported and unreported cases. What's worse? Nigeria spent an average of N365.60 per woman and girl on GBV prevention and response in 2024. N365.60! Is this a serious commitment or a joke? Declining budget performance, weak spending, and minimal allocations to ministries of women's affairs directly translate to reduced awareness and limited access to justice.
The culture of silence, victim-blaming, and a weak police response continue to be major obstacles for survivors seeking justice. We have laws, like the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, but enforcement remains a significant challenge.
This cannot continue. The 'rape festival' in Ozoro is a wake-up call, but how many more do we need?
It’s time to amplify our voices. We need:
- Swift and Thorough Justice: Every perpetrator, whether in Ozoro or anywhere else, must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. No sacred cows. No out-of-court settlements for predators.
- Increased Funding and Resources: The N365.60 per woman/girl spent on GBV is a national disgrace. Our state and federal governments need to allocate substantial budgets, not just lip service, to prevention, support services, and effective judicial processes. I'm talking real money for SARCs, legal aid, and rehabilitation.
- Societal Reorientation: We need aggressive, consistent public awareness campaigns challenging archaic cultural practices, victim-blaming narratives, and the patriarchal norms that fuel this violence. Engaging men and boys is crucial here.
- Accountability from All Quarters: From law enforcement to community leaders, everyone must be held accountable for protecting women and girls and ensuring justice. Where are the police when these things are happening? What are the community leaders doing to prevent them?
I’m dropping links and screenshots of these reports. Let’s tag every relevant handle – the Minister of Women Affairs, the Inspector General of Police, the governors, our senators – and demand concrete action, not just statements. We will keep these receipts. The algorithm will do the rest.
#StopRapingWomen #EndGBV #JusticeForNigerianWomen #Ozoro