ASABA/Nigeria: Lady Ejiro Umukoro, a human rights advocate and President of LightRay! Media, has called for urgent and decisive action following the reported attack and rape of women and girls during a recent community festival in Ozoro, Delta State, describing the incident as “heinous and unacceptable.”
In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, Umukoro condemned the assault, warning that the growing incidence of gender-based violence (GBV) in the Niger Delta requires immediate and coordinated intervention from all stakeholders.
“This is a dark moment for our society,” she said. “The attack on women and girls during a community festival is not just a violation of their rights, but a stain on our collective humanity. Those caught on video committing these horrific crimes must face the full weight of the law. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act is clear: rape is punishable by life imprisonment, and we demand swift justice for the victims.”
She called on law enforcement agencies to launch an immediate investigation into the incident, identify those responsible, and ensure their prompt prosecution, stressing that justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.
Beyond prosecution, the LightRay! Media President advocated systemic reforms to curb the recurrence of such crimes, including the establishment of Gender-Based Violence desks in police stations across the Niger Delta to guarantee more sensitive and timely handling of cases involving women and vulnerable groups.
Umukoro further outlined key measures needed to tackle the menace, including the provision of safe houses and crisis centres for survivors, offering medical care, psychological support and shelter. She also urged traditional rulers, community leaders and civil society organisations to intensify advocacy against harmful cultural practices that enable violence against women.
She emphasized the need for state governments in the region to domesticate and fully enforce the VAPP Act, noting that gaps in implementation continue to undermine justice for victims. According to her, comprehensive education and awareness programmes targeting men and boys are critical to changing entrenched social norms and promoting respect and consent.
Highlighting the deeper structural issues driving GBV, Umukoro pointed to cultural norms, inadequate education and weak law enforcement as key factors fueling the crisis. “We must create a Niger Delta where women and girls can live without fear of violence or discrimination. This is not just a women’s issue—it is a societal issue that requires all of us to act,” she stated.
She also urged the Federal Government to prioritize enforcement of the Executive Order designating telecommunications and digital infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, noting that safeguarding such systems is vital for strengthening security, education and financial services often disrupted by violence.
Describing the Ozoro incident as a wake-up call, Umukoro called on governments, security agencies, traditional institutions and citizens to unite in confronting the scourge of gender-based violence.
“We must take a stand against gender-based violence and build a society where women are not just protected but empowered to thrive. Let us work together to ensure that every woman and girl in the Niger Delta can live with dignity, safety and opportunity,” she added.
Her intervention adds to growing calls for accountability and systemic change in addressing violence against women and girls across the region.
