The Council of Traditional Leaders of Africa has strongly condemned the reports of sexual violence against women and girls allegedly linked to a cultural festival in Ozoro, Delta State.
In a statement signed by His Royal Highness, Dr. Haliru N. Yahaya, Emir of Shonga and Convener General of COTLA, the council said no cultural practice, tradition or social norm should be used to justify or enable any form of violence against women and girls.
“Such acts are a clear violation of human rights and dignity, and they undermine the very values that traditional institutions are meant to uphold,” the statement read.
COTLA said the incident is particularly concerning in light of the renewed commitment made by traditional and community leaders across the continent during the Conference of African Traditional and Community Leaders held in February 2026 in Lagos.
At that gathering, leaders reaffirmed their collective responsibility to protect women and girls, challenge harmful practices, and promote positive social norms within their communities.
The council called for full accountability for all those involved in the reported acts, noting with appreciation the reported arrest of the alleged perpetrators by the Nigeria Police Force.
COTLA urged that investigations be thorough, transparent and expedited to ensure justice is served.
The council also acknowledged the efforts of the traditional leadership in Ozoro, particularly the role played in supporting actions to hold the organizers of the event accountable and in cooperating with relevant authorities.
“This demonstrates the critical leadership role that traditional institutions must continue to play in addressing harmful practices and safeguarding their communities,” the statement noted.
COTLA called for immediate and comprehensive support for survivors of the incidents, including access to medical care, psychosocial services, and legal assistance.
The organization emphasized that survivors must be treated with dignity, confidentiality, and respect, and their rights must be fully protected.
COTLA acknowledged that the cultural event had previously been abolished and its reported re-enactment is an aberration that must not be allowed to stand.
The council called on the traditional institutions in Ozoro to place a complete and immediate ban on the festival and to work closely with relevant authorities to ensure that anyone attempting to revive or re-enact it is promptly apprehended and held accountable.
COTLA further called on traditional leaders across Nigeria and the continent to take proactive steps to identify and immediately ban any similar cultural practices that violate the rights and dignity of women and girls.
The organization said it remains committed to working with governments, civil society and development partners to ensure that communities are safe for women and girls, and that harmful practices are eliminated.
“We reiterate that the protection of women and girls is a collective responsibility that requires sustained leadership, accountability, and action,” the statement concluded.
The Council of Traditional Leaders of Africa represents traditional and community leaders across the African continent working to promote good governance, peace, and the protection of human rights within their communities.