Nigerian youths on Sunday staged a protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly, calling for justice for victims of an alleged sexual assault incident said to have occurred during a fertility festival in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The demonstrators, operating under the banner of the “End The Rape Culture” campaign, expressed outrage over reports and videos circulating online, which allegedly showed victims crying out and pleading for help during the incident.
Speaking during the protest, the Executive Director of Hacey Health Initiative, Rhoda Robinson, described the situation as deeply disturbing, stressing that the issue goes beyond headlines and reflects a broader societal problem.
“It is heartbreaking. I keep asking myself, what if it were me? This is a stark reminder that rape culture still exists,” she said.
Robinson recalled that when the campaign was launched alongside Sunshine Rosman and other advocates, there were claims that rape culture was no longer prevalent in Nigeria.
She, however, questioned that assertion, noting that survivors were often silenced, blamed and denied justice.
“How can anyone say rape culture does not exist when victims are still being silenced and justice remains elusive?” She asked.
She cited data indicating that a significant number of women and girls in Nigeria experience sexual violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and societal pressure.
According to her, even reported cases rarely result in justice for survivors.
Robinson also referenced the widely reported case of Ochanya, a young girl who was repeatedly abused by close relatives and later died from complications related to vesicovaginal fistula and trauma. She said the case underscores the persistent vulnerability of many girls across the country.
According to her, Ochanya’s experience is not an isolated case, as many victims continue to suffer in silence.
“The reality is harsh: victims are blamed, families suppress the truth, and systems fail to protect. Women and girls continue to face oppression, and this must change. We need stronger safeguards, effective laws, and justice that is consistent, not selective. No one should be forced to endure such suffering in silence,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, visited the affected area alongside senior officers, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, as part of efforts to address the situation.
