Ozoro Incident: CP Aina Adesola Leads Strategic Visit, Reaffirms Commitment to Justice

By Chukwunonso Eric, Warri.

The Delta State Police Command has intensified efforts to address the alleged sexual assault incidents in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area, with the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, leading a high-powered delegation on a strategic visit to the community.

The visit, described as both fact-finding and confidence-building, included top management officers of the Command such as the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, alongside other senior officials.

As part of the engagement, the Police Commissioner paid a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler of Ozoro Kingdom, Anthony Uvietobore Ogbogbo, where he briefed the monarch on the progress of investigations and reiterated the Command’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual and gender-based violence.

The delegation also held meetings with key stakeholders, including the Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area, Godwin Ogorugba, the President-General of Ozoro Community, Chief Berkley Asiafa, the South-South Zonal Coordinator of NANS, Victor Ogechukwu, and the Students’ Union Government President of Southern Delta University, Oribelua Precious. The team also interacted with some of the victims.

Addressing stakeholders, CP Adesola said the visit was prompted by the disturbing nature of the incident, noting that the Inspector-General of Police is deeply concerned. He described the development as an embarrassment to the local government, the state, and the nation, assuring that all those involved will be apprehended and prosecuted.

He further reassured residents, particularly students, of strengthened security measures to prevent recurrence, while commending the student community for choosing dialogue over protest in managing the situation.

In his remarks, the monarch, HRM Anthony Uvietobore Ogbogbo, condemned the incident, stressing that no girl child should be subjected to such trauma. He commended the Police Commissioner for his swift and professional response, as well as students for their calm disposition. The royal father also directed that future festivals or gatherings in the kingdom must receive prior approval from the palace to forestall similar occurrences.

Similarly, the Chairman of Isoko North LGA, Godwin Ogorugba, described the incident as unfortunate, clarifying that Ozoro has no history of a “rape festival,” but rather a cultural event that was allegedly hijacked by criminal elements. He assured that the State Government would support the Police in ensuring justice is served.

Also speaking, NANS Zonal Coordinator Victor Ogechukwu praised the prompt intervention of the Police, noting that the student body adopted dialogue to prevent escalation.

The Commissioner reiterated that the Command operates an active Gender Desk at the State Headquarters for handling cases of sexual and gender-based violence and encouraged victims to make use of the facility with full assurance of confidentiality.

The Delta State Police Command strongly condemned the incident and reaffirmed its commitment to justice and public safety, urging members of the public to provide useful information to aid ongoing investigations.