By Lucky Uto
The Ovie of Ozoro Kingdom, HRM (Barr.) Anthony Uvietobore Ogbogbo Ibuka I, has ordered that no festival or public gathering should take place in the kingdom without approval from the palace.
This, he said, is to prevent a repeat of the recent sexual assault incident.
The monarch strongly condemned the act, stressing that no girl should be subjected to such inhuman treatment.
He made this known when the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola, visited the community with top police officers, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on a fact-finding mission.
The traditional ruler thanked the police for their quick response and praised students for remaining calm.
He insisted that all those involved in the incident must be arrested and prosecuted.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Isoko North Local Government, Hon. Godwin Ogorugba, described the incident as unfortunate. He clarified that there is no “rape festival” in Ozoro, but rather a cultural event that was poorly handled and taken over by criminals.
He added that key stakeholders were not informed before the event and assured that the government would support the police to bring those responsible to justice.
In his remarks, the Police Commissioner said the incident was embarrassing to the local government, Delta State, and Nigeria.
He assured residents that the police would not rest until all suspects are arrested.
He also promised improved security measures to prevent such incidents in the future and commended students for choosing peace and dialogue instead of violence.
