Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEL), the apex social and political body of the people of the Niger Delta region, has called on the Nigerian police to act without further delay and investigate the alleged female harassment and assault at the Ozoro festival, Delta State.
The socio-cultural and political organisation, in a statement on Monday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, noted that on no account should any traditional practice jeopardise the constitutional rights of citizens in any society, kingdom, or community.
The statement reads, “Ozoro has been a peaceful community hosting a large number of non-indigenes for years. It is the headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, and it is also home to a major academic institution, the Delta State University of Science and Technology, with many young adults, both male and female, as students.
“Whatever traditional practice, be it a festival or not, that occurs in any given community, must consider the rights of others, mostly the non-indigenes who have the right to their own religion and other freedoms as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, which is the grand norm of all laws in Nigeria.
“We, however, commend the swift action taken by the Monarch of the Kingdom and the President General who came out boldly to condemn such barbaric action in this 21st century.
“Those involved in this dastardly act must be brought to book without further delay. This shall serve as a deterrent to others. The world has moved past such barbaric traditional practices. All traditional practices within a given community must be subject to the laws of the state.
“Ozoro is a community of elites with a sophisticated and educated leadership headed by a first-class traditional ruler. The leadership of the Kingdom must, therefore, put measures in place to avoid such occurrences in the future.” PANDEF added.
