The Delta State Police Command has arrested 11 additional suspects in connection with the alleged assault and harassment of young women during the controversial ‘Alue-Do’ festival in Ozoro community.
The arrests come after widespread outrage on social media on Thursday, when multiple videos surfaced online showing groups of men attacking and stripping young women during the festival.
Clips shared widely on X captured scenes of chaos, with men tearing the clothes of women and groping them in public.
In one of the viral videos, a young woman was seen crying and trying to cover herself after her clothes were ripped, while several men continued to harass her. The scenes have been widely condemned as disturbing and unacceptable.
Following the incident, the police had earlier confirmed the arrest of a community leader, Omorede Sunday, along with four other suspects over allegations linked to the attacks.
Providing an update on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer in Delta State, Bright Edafe, said a special team carried out a detailed review of the video evidence.
He explained that operatives of the Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) analysed the footage, leading to further arrests.
According to the police, the total number of suspects in custody has now risen to 15.
Some of those arrested were identified as Samson Atukpodo, Steven Ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, and Evidence Oguname, along with six others.
“These latest arrests bring the total number of suspects currently in police custody in connection with the incident to fifteen,” the statement said.
The police described the incident as the work of criminal elements who took advantage of the festival to carry out acts of violence.
Authorities stressed that such actions do not represent any legitimate cultural practice.
The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Aina Adesola, strongly condemned the attacks and assured the public that justice would be served.
He said the command remains committed to identifying and prosecuting everyone involved in the incident.
The police have called on members of the public, especially victims and witnesses, to come forward with useful information to support the investigation.
They also assured that any information provided would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The incident has continued to draw strong reactions across the country, with many Nigerians demanding accountability and stronger measures to prevent such attacks in the future.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice.
