By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
WARRI — The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the apex socio-political body for the Niger Delta region, has called on the Nigeria Police Force to launch an immediate investigation into the alleged harassment and assault of females during a festival in Ozoro, Delta State.
In a statement issued on Monday, the group condemned the incident, stressing that no traditional practice should be allowed to jeopardise the constitutional rights of citizens, particularly non-indigenes residing in the community.
PANDEF’s National Spokesman, Chief Obiuwevbi Ominimini, noted that Ozoro has long been a peaceful community, serving as the headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area and hosting the Delta State University of Science and Technology, which is home to a large population of young adults.
“Whatever traditional practice, be it a festival or otherwise, that occurs in any given community must consider the rights of others, mostly the non-indigenes who have their full right to their own religion and other freedoms as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, which is the grundnorm of all laws in Nigeria,” the statement read.
The group commended the swift action of the monarch of the kingdom and the President General, who it said came out boldly to condemn what it described as a barbaric action in the 21st century.
“Those involved in this dastardly act must be brought to book without 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 subject themselves to the laws of the state,” Chief Ominimini added.
PANDEF further urged the leadership of the kingdom, which it described as being led by a first-class traditional ruler and a sophisticatedly educated elite, to put measures in place to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
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