\n\nA women’s rights organisation has called for the establishment of an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the alleged mass sexual assaults linked to a controversial festival in Ozoro, Delta State. The group urged the state government to take decisive action, stressing that the scale and severity of the reported abuses require a transparent and impartial investigation beyond existing institutional processes. 
The demand follows widespread outrage triggered by viral videos and reports showing women being assaulted during the festival, an incident that has drawn national condemnation. Advocacy groups argue that traditional authorities and community leaders must also be scrutinised, insisting that those in positions of responsibility should be held accountable if they failed to prevent or address the violence. Reports indicate that several suspects have already been arrested by the police as investigations continue. 
The incident has intensified calls for stronger protections against gender-based violence in Nigeria, with activists pushing for reforms to regulate cultural practices that infringe on human rights. Analysts say the outcome of the proposed inquiry could be critical in determining accountability, restoring public confidence, and setting a precedent for how similar cases are handled across the country.
