By Maryanne Awuya
Suspects involved in the Ozoro festival incident which sparked a national outage are set to face prosecution this week, according to Delta State Police Commissioner Yemi John Oyeniyi.
Speaking at his first official briefing at the Asaba headquarters, Oyeniyi noted that the legal department is finalizing the case file for immediate court action.
“The case file has been sent to the legal department for vetting, and hopefully they will complete the process this week. The suspects involved will be charged to court accordingly,” Oyeniyi said.
Beyond this case, the police chief used the briefing to outline a broader security strategy aimed at addressing persistent threats across Delta State.
He emphasized that the protection of lives and property remains the Command’s top priority.
“The state faces security challenges, and our duty is to address these challenges while maintaining peace and order,” Oyeniyi said, adding that his leadership would focus on consolidating gains while confronting emerging threats with “renewed clarity.”
He revealed plans to overhaul the coordination of tactical units within the Command, stressing that all teams would be properly supervised and aligned with the Nigeria Police Force’s overall policing strategy.
“My objective is to eliminate duplication of duties, enhance accountability, and ensure that all tactical deployments are intelligence-driven and result-oriented,” he explained.
Oyeniyi identified kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and drug abuse as major drivers of insecurity in the state, promising a more proactive and coordinated response.
He particularly described drug abuse as a foundational problem fueling other crimes, pledging to target major suppliers and criminal networks.
“We are going to tackle drug issues from the roots and go after the kingpins. Drug is the mother of all crimes—it gives other crimes the impetus to continue,” he declared.
In a stern warning to officers, the Commissioner reiterated that indiscipline and human rights violations would not be tolerated under his watch.
“There will be no tolerance for indiscipline, abuse of human rights, and unprofessional conduct, both on and off duty. All officers will be accountable for their actions and must operate within the ambit of the law,” he said.
He stressed that discipline, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law are “non-negotiable” expectations for all personnel.
Oyeniyi said the Command would shift towards a more preventive policing model, including increased visibility of officers in communities, improved intelligence gathering, and closer collaboration with residents.
He also pledged to strengthen partnerships with the state government, other security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, and youth groups to enhance security outcomes.
“We will focus on preventing crime, not just reacting to it,” he said, noting that collective responsibility is key to achieving lasting peace.
The commissioner emphasized the power of the press in shaping public discourse and pledged a stronger, more constructive bond moving forward.
Persecondnews recalls that the Ozoro festival (specifically the Alue-Do festival) took place on Thursday, March 19, which gained significant attention after viral videos emerged showing the assault and public humiliation of women during the celebration.
This led to widespread condemnation from the Delta State Government and human rights organizations, as well as the police.
The festival is traditionally celebrated in the Ozoro Kingdom, located in the Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State.
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