The Delta State Government has announced the arrest of 11 additional suspects linked to the alleged sexual assault of women during the recent Ozoro festival.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday via the state’s official X account, indicating that fresh progress had been made in the ongoing investigation.
According to the statement, the arrests followed a coordinated police operation in Oramudu Quarters, Ozoro, where the incidents were reported.
It noted that the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, mandated a special assignment team to intensify the probe by examining video recordings and actionable intelligence.
The operation, the government said, led to the capture of suspects including Samson Atukpodo, Steven Ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, as well as six others.
The state government maintained that the perpetrators exploited the festival setting to commit criminal acts, stressing that such behaviour is not rooted in any legitimate cultural tradition.
It reiterated that security agencies are committed to tracking down all those involved and ensuring they face the full weight of the law.
Residents, particularly victims and eyewitnesses, were encouraged to assist the investigation by providing relevant information, with assurances that their identities would remain confidential.
The latest arrests come after the police earlier detained five individuals, among them the community leader and chief organiser of the Ozoro festival, in connection with the incident.
