NBA Condemns Delta Festival Assault on Women, Demands Justice

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) issued a statement on Saturday condemning the assault on women that occurred during a festival in Ozoro, Delta State, describing the incident as a national disgrace and a collapse of societal conscience. The statement, signed by NBA President Afam Osigwe and Chairperson of the NBA Women’s Forum Huwaila Muhammad, highlighted that women were chased, stripped, and sexually assaulted in broad daylight by a mob of young men, with others recording the incident and cheering.

The NBA emphasized that such acts constitute serious criminal offenses under Nigerian law, including sexual violence and public indecency. They called for urgent action from the Delta State government and law enforcement agencies to identify, arrest, and prosecute the perpetrators.

The association stressed that no cultural practices could justify such degrading treatment of women and warned that silence or indifference would embolden further abuse. The police confirmed the arrest of community leaders and others connected to the incident, launching a full-scale investigation.